1. Chapter 16
The Gilded Age

2. 1. Segregation & Social Tension
After Reconstruction – Jim Crow Laws
Attempts to disenfranchise blacks
Got around 15th amendment
Poll tax
Literacy test
Grandfather clause – could vote if grandfather did (no one’s grandfather could!)
Widespread segregation
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) – “Separate but Equal” facilities were ok; upheld Jim Crow

3. Opposition Booker T. Washington
Build up economic resources, earn reputation as hard working
Tuskeegee Institute – promoted vocational training

4. Opposition
W.E.B. DuBois
Urged blacks to demand equality & not be limited by vocational training
Demand change
Ida B. Wells – crusaded against the horrors of lynching

6. Discrimination Chinese on west coast; laborers
Chinese Exclusion Act – quotas on immigrants (first)
Mexicans in the west also deprived of rights, land
Women – further crusades by Anthony and Stanton (14th Am. excluded women)
By 1906, only 4 states gave women the right to vote (first: Wyoming)

8. 2. Political & Economic Challenge
Wave of corruption in politics after some “weak” presidents (Hayes, Harrison, Arthur)
Grover Cleveland – reputation of honesty
Political “bosses” ran local elections
“Boss Tweed” – Tweed ring in NY
Spoils system contributed
Civil Service reform: Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883) required govt. workers to take an exam (after James Garfield shot for not giving a supporter a govt. job)
Debate over gold standard (some wanted silver)

9. 3. Farmers and Populism
High debts, low prices for crops, high transportation costs (monopolies on rail rates); felt unappreciated and unrepresented
Disliked banks and big business
Grange – united farmers; education on farming techniques, reduced rates on shipping, grain storage
Farmer’s alliances grew also

10. Populist Party
People’s Party – grassroots party to help farmers, workers, etc.
Tom Watson, GA – famous populist leader (cast aside racial prejudice)
1896 populists supported William Jennings Bryan (spoke against big business and gold standard – “cross of gold” speech; favored silver too)
Lost to William McKinley; party faded
Reforms later – graduated income tax, regulation of railroads, flexible monetary system (not just gold), party of the people