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Chapter 8 POLITICS IN THE GILDED AGE
The American Nation In the Modern Era 4/21/2017 Chapter 8 POLITICS IN THE GILDED AGE Section 1: Political Machines Section 2: Restoring Honest Government Section 3: The Populist Movement CHAPTER 8--POLITICS IN THE GILDED AGE
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Political Machines SECTION 1 POLITICAL MACHINES AND IMMIGRANTS
Why Immigrants Were Important to Machines Ways in Which Machines Recruited and Rewarded Immigrants • welcomed immigrants upon arrival • found immigrants temporary housing and jobs • helped immigrants become naturalized citizens • helped immigrants with finances, funerals, and so on • represented a huge supply of supporters and voters • tended to be particularly loyal to machines/ POLITICAL PARTIES POLITICAL MACHINES AND IMMIGRANTS
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Political machines Section 1: Political Machines
during the late 1800’s well-organized political parties dominated city governments in the U.S. because of their success in getting their members elected to local political offices, these parties were called political machines. Political machines controlled votes by offering jobs, political favors, and services to loyal supporters.
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“ I know what Parks (NYC Politician) is doing, but what do I care
“ I know what Parks (NYC Politician) is doing, but what do I care? He has raised my wages. Let him have his (illegal gains) Bosses may dictate voting patterns, control appointments, and wield considerable influence in other political processes. They do not necessarily hold public office themselves. In fact, most historical bosses did not. `
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Blue Low Red High
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Importance of immigrants
Section 1: Political Machines easily accessible—could be welcomed on arrival had many needs for housing, jobs, and services represented a huge supply of supporters and voters tended to be loyal to machines
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I am the BOSS of this Boat
YOU CAN CALL ME SKIPPER BECAUSE THE WAY I TURN THIS MONEY OVER YOU CAN CALL ME FLIPPER
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Corruption and illegal activities
Section 1: Political Machines Machines hired men to “vote early and often.” Bosses took bribes, payoffs, and kickbacks.
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William Magear "Boss" Tweed (April 3, 1823 – April 12, 1878) was an American politician and head of Tammany Hall, the name given to the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in the history of 19th century New York City politics. He was convicted and eventually imprisoned for stealing millions of dollars from the city through political corruption. He was of Scottish-Irish descent.
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Collapse of Tweed’s support
Section 1: Political Machines Thomas Nast’s cartoons revealed Tweed’s corruption, even to people who couldn’t read very well. The New York Times published a series of articles exposing Tweed.
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Restoring Honest Government
SECTION 2 Restoring Honest Government • supported reform after the assassination of President Garfield • helped pass Pendleton Civil Service Act President Arthur and Reforms • split the Republicans • Stalwarts voted for James Blaine, the Half-Breed candidate; reform Republicans voted for Grover Cleveland, the Democratic candidate Effect on Republicans and the Election of 1884
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President Cleveland’s Reforms President Harrison’s Response
SECTION 2 Restoring Honest Government President Cleveland’s Reforms • doubled the number of jobs requiring civil service exams • promoted reform in general • returned to political patronage • spent money on Republican pet projects President Harrison’s Response
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Desire for reform Section 2: Restoring Honest Government
Americans wanted political reform and honest officials because corruption had become so widespread. This desire split the Republican Party into the Stalwarts and the Half-Breeds.
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President Arthur Section 2: Restoring Honest Government
Arthur began to support reform after the assassination of President Garfield, and this led to reform Republicans voting for Cleveland, the Democratic candidate, in the election of 1884.
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Harrison’s response to Cleveland’s reforms
Section 2: Restoring Honest Government returned to political patronage spent money on Republican pet projects
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Efforts to Help Farmers
SECTION 3 The Populist Movement • The government limited the power of ICC. • formed cooperatives • pressured states to regulate freight and grain-storage rates Efforts to Help Farmers Factors that Weakened Efforts FARMER’S ORGANIZATIONS • offered low-cost insurance • lobbied for graduated income tax • The existence of racial segregation in southern states prevented a strong farmers’ coalition.
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Economic hardships for farmers
Section 3: The Populist Movement heavy debts high freight and machinery costs falling crop prices
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Farmer’s movements Section 3: The Populist Movement
hoped to pressure states to regulate freight and grain-storage rates formed cooperatives offered low-cost insurance lobbied for graduated income tax weakened by government limits on the power of ICC weakened by racial segregation
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Money backed by silver Section 3: The Populist Movement
Farmers supported money backed by silver because they wanted to increase the paper money supply. As long as only gold was allowed to back paper, the money supply was restricted by how much gold the treasury had.
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Populist Party issues Section 3: The Populist Movement
graduated income tax bank regulation government ownership of railroad and telegraph companies free coinage of silver immigration restrictions shorter workday voting reforms
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The effects of silver Section 3: The Populist Movement
Silver was a central issue in the 1896 presidential campaign. Populists supported Bryan because of his stand on silver. William McKinley won the election with the support of business leaders who opposed free silver.
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