1. Chapter 15: The Gilded Age
Politics, Immigration, & Urban Life

2. I. The Gilded Age

3. II. Post Civil War Politics
Lack of Political Leadership & Corruption (sheet)
* Undistinguished political leadership
* Neither party dominated
* People expect little from govt… Laissez-faire
*Political Scandal and corruption
* Tammany Hall & Tweed Ring, Credit Mobilier Scandal, Salary Grab, Whiskey Ring Fraud

4. II. Post Civil War Politics B. Major Issue of the Period (sheet)
Republicans
Democrats
Industrialists & bankers
North & Midwest & southern blacks
Tight money supply w/ gold standard, high tariffs, subsidies to RR, blue laws, limited immigration
N. urban immigrants, laborers, southern planters, western farmers
Increased money supply w/ silver standard, lower tariffs, higher farm prices, less subsidies to business, fewer blue laws

5. II. Post Civil War Politics
Major Issues of the Period
1. Tariffs: Protectionism v. Free Trade
2. Currency: “Free Silver”/ “Cheap Money” v. Gold Standard; peak w/ Election of 1896
3. Civil Service Reform
* Jackson & the Spoils System
*1881: Prez Garfield assassinated
* Pendleton Act of 1883: exams

6. II. Post Civil War Politics
The “One-Termers”
1. Rutherford B. Hayes
* Compromise of 1877
2. James A. Garfield

7. II. Post Civil War Politics
The “One-Termers”
Chester A. Arthur
Grover Cleveland
* Interstate Commerce Act; Dawes Act
* Served 2 non-consecutive terms
5. Benjamin Harrison
* Battle of Wounded Knee

8. III. The New Immigrants New Immigrants (1870-1920)
Old Immigration ( )
G. Britain, Germany, N. Europe
Africans: forced slavery
Peoples absorbed by conquest and annexation
S/ E Europe
Different languages, customs, religions (Italian Catholics)
European Jews: pogroms
Slavs, Russian, Polish, Czech
Physical Differences as well.

9. III. New Immigrants Coming To America
1. Journey to America: steerage, Ellis Island, quarantine
2. Immigrant Communities: ghettos; good and bad
3. Assimilation v. Pluralism: “Melting Pot” v. “Salad Bowl”

10. III. New Immigrants Reaction to Immigrants 1. Nativism/ Ethnocentrism
* Cultural & Economic Issues
2. Examples of Nativism
* Am’n Protective Association (1887): Catholics
* Restrictive Covenants: not sell real estate
* Local Laws prohibit from holding certain jobs
* Jewish Immigrants: restricted from jobs, universities

11. III. New Immigrants
D. Early Restrictions: See Chart 1. Chinese Exclusion Act (1882): “Yellow Peril” 2. Gentlemen’s Agreement (1907): Japan 3. Literacy Tests (1917): Read/ write 1.

12. IV. Urbanization: The Growth of An Urban Nation
Negative Effects of City Growth
1. Tenements & Company Towns
*Realism: Ash Can School, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets
2. Public Health: disease, sanitation, diets, no hospitals
3. Politics & Political Machines: + and -
4. Tension b/w the Social Groups

13. IV. Urbanization Positive Effects of City Growth 1. New Technologies
*Mass transportation, lights, brides,
water & sewage systems
2. Cultural Opportunities
* Museums, halls, theaters, newspapers, dept stores, vaudeville, movies, baseball
3. Educational Opportunties
* Morrill Act of 1862

14. IV. Urbanization The Urban Mixture
*Mix: poor, middle class, wealthy… tensions
* Development of inventions: consumerism, materialism, better housing, money, leisure time
* Wealthy: contribute charities, institutions, operas, libraries
* Workers: lacked time, energy, finances to participate
* Women: upper class stayed home: reform movements
* Rest: traditional jobs… but still work at home
* But with economic power…. 1

15. IV. Urbanization Attempts At Urban Reform
Jacob Riis: How the Other Half Lives (sheet)

16. IV. Urbanization Local Attempts at Urban Reform
1. Public Commissions: child labor, conditions, housing
2. Social Gospel Movement & Religious Institutions
* Salvation Army, Knights of Columbus
3. Municipal Leagues: private groups: eye on corruption
4. Settlement Houses: Hull House/ Jane Addams (1889)