1. Politics in the Gilded Age Goal 5 Part 4

2. What is the Gilded Age? CORRUPTION Coined by Mark Twain  Timeframe: 1870s-1890s that mocks the “greed” and “self-indulgence” of American people. PROBLEM: Rapid urbanization under inefficient government

3. The Political Machine Political machine: an organized group that controlled the activities of a political party in a city Offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for political and financial support (MAJOR CORRUPTION!!!!) Leader: Political Boss Reasons for success: Controlled business licenses & jobs *Fixed urban problems (examples?) Made people happy!

4. Immigrants and the Political Machine Why would immigrants SUPPORT Political Machines?  Political machines and bosses provide “ANSWERS” to immigrants questions and concerns! A. Helped with the “naturalization” process (attaining full citizenship) B. Helps with finding JOBS In return for this help…immigrants would support the political machine with votes…or general support!

5. Graft/Corruption Graft: illegal use of political influence for personal gain (political machines) Most Famous:  TWEED RING SCANDAL corrupted Democratic political machine Boss Tweed, became head / boss of Tammany Hall, New York’s political Machine Story: Overcharge the construction of a New York Courthouse ($13 million) when it officially cost only ($3 million) - $10 million goes to the machine and workers “The way to have power is to take it.” - Boss Tweed

8. “Tammany Tiger Loose” - Thomas Nast

9. Patronage is “REPLACED” by Civil Service (REFORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Patronage: giving of government jobs to people who helped a candidate get elected (COPRRUPTION)  Example: Andrew Jackson’s Spoils System  Solution: move into a “merit” system of hiring  Remember: Patronage / Spoils System / Graft = all the same! Civil Service: (government administration) giving government jobs based on being the most qualified, merit system Civil Service = good / based on merit Patronage = bad / based on corruption

10. **Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)** (1) Replaced patronage with civil service (2) Destroyed the Spoils System! (3) Federal jobs are given through a merit system, and performance based testing! (*) STRONGEST legislation that attempted to fix the Gilded Age (corruption)

11. Reforming Elections Getting average citizens more “directly” involved in politics 4 actions to get the average citizen more involved in politics (1) Initiative – a bill generated by the “people” (2) Referendum – a “vote” on the bill, or initiative (3) Recall – people had the right to “remove” a government official out of office to face another election (4) 17 th Amendment – Direct election of Senators OVERALL PURPOSE: Progressive reform / fixing corruption / Reforming elections got the “average citizen” more involved in politics REMEMBER: Populism and Progressivism are very similar

12. What is considered the STRONGEST attempt by the federal government to clean up the state government in the late 1800s? a. By outlawing political bosses and political machines b. By eliminating campaign contributions and graft c. By passing the Sherman Anti-Trust Act d. By passing the Pendleton Civil Service Act