1. Chapter 15

2. Section 1

3.  Bribe: Money paid to someone to do something against the law.  Civil Service: System that includes most government workers who are appointed rather than elected.  Kickback: An illegal payment of money made in return for a favor or service.

4.  US grew strong  Millions of immigrants came to US: ◦ Factories ◦ Steel mills ◦ RR  Growth brought problems: ◦ Some used wealth and power to change laws for their gain  Many Americans began working to reform business and govt.

5.  Gilded Age: (covered with gold) ◦ Wealthy did not care about the poor ◦ Corruption spread throughout the U.S.  Some leaders of big businesses used money to do good things: ◦ Created jobs ◦ Helped poor people ◦ Built museums and other public places  Some business people tried to use govt. for their own gain: ◦ Bribing the govt. ◦ Should have laws protecting their businesses  Some were successful in getting laws passes

6.  Wanted to control the railroads ◦ Bribed lawmakers ◦ Didn’t care if laws hurt other RR  When told by someone that he was breaking the law his response was: “What do I care about law?…Haven’t I got the Power?” ◦ Many big business leaders shared this philosophy

7.  N.Y. city leader/Political Boss  Boss Tweed  Controlled city govt.  Controlled elections:  Gave gifts  Jobs  Favors ◦ Exchange for votes ◦ Received kickback for his service  Cheated NYC out of $200 million (6 years) ◦ Padded city bills/kept extra ◦ Paid off police ◦ Went to jail

8.  Many Americans called for reform  Lawmakers decided to reform civil service  1870s-1880s: ◦ Spoils system-govt. jobs given to supporters  1870s Pres. Hayes spoke out against spoils system: ◦ Congress did not want to change  1880s Pres. Garfield ◦ Many people kept asking for jobs in govt. ◦ 1881, he was shot and killed because he did not give his killer a job

9.  VP Chester Arthur becomes president  1883: ◦ Congress passed the Civil Service Act ◦ Had to take a test for govt. jobs  Showed if they had the skills for the job

10. Worksheets #