Gilded Age

Political and Economic Challenges Chapter 7

Essential Questions

E.Q. 12 - Analyze a primary source document reflecting the dynamics of the Gilded Age American society.

E.Q. 14 - Analyze a political cartoon that portrays the controversial aspects of the Gilded Age.

E.Q. 15 - Explain the impact of different forms of corruption and its consequences in American politics during the later half of the Age.

E.Q. 17 - Determine the progress of political and social reform in America during the Progressive Era

Objectives

Analyze the issue of corruption in national politics in the 1870s and 1880s.

Discuss civil service reform during the 1870s and 1880s.

Assess the importance of economic issues in the politics of the Gilded Age.

Discover the various scandals that plagued this era.

Gilded Age Meaning

Book by

Mark Twain

and

Charles Dudley Warner

:

The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today

(1893)

-

satirizing what they believed to be an era of serious social problems hidden by a thin gold gilding -

describes the political corruption of President Ulysses S. Grant’s administration

(1869-1877)

suggested

a

shallow glitter

which came to

describe

the

social

and

political life

of the latter part of the 19 th century

characterizes

an era which

enriched some

people while

trapping others

in

poverty

Gilded Age Meaning

Term refers to the shallow and gaudy culture engaged in by the newly rich and the families of old wealth Some

historians interpret

the

ornate mansions

of

New York City

and

lavish parties

held in them as

expression of excess wealth caused by mindless greed

. A play on “Golden Age” Thin gold layer covering outside (to “gild” something)

Corruption in Politics

Weak and ineffectual Presidents lassez faire - government

Bribery Various scandals

Political cartoons

used to expose

corruption

: -

Thomas Nast

Spoils System

Spoils System “Unless you can get the ear of a Senator... and persuade him to use his “influence” in your behalf, you cannot get employment of the most trivial nature in Washington. Mere merit, fitness and capability, are useless baggage to you without ‘influence,’ ... It would be an odd circumstance to see a girl get employment ... merely because she was worthy and competent, and a good citizen of a free country that “treats all persons alike.” Mark Twain & Charles Dudley Warner

Spoils System

Politicians awarding government jobs to loyal party workers with little regard for their qualifications

.

Candidates did not help with their own elections.

Influenced high voter turnout Led to

civil service

- system where most

gov’t workers

would get their

jobs

due to

expertise

and

keep them

regardless of who took over office

Spoils System ctd...

Controversy over accepting the civil service system Politicians worries about attracting workers for campaigns and parties

President James Garfield

’s assassination by

Charles Guiteau

helped settle the matter Chester A. Arthur becomes President and has to support civil service reform because of public’s outcry after Garfield’s death

Laws

requiring individuals to pass

civil service examination

to obtain government jobs -

eliminate patronage

and

corruption

in government

hiring

Pendleton Civil Service Act

1883 Applied to Federal jobs Jobs are rewarded based on merit • Establishes the

Civil Service Commission

- make

government appointments

based on

merit system

wrote a civil service exam

“Boss System”

“Political Machine” Local level spoils system The leader is the “political boss” System is held together with material rewards Jobs, lodging, extra groceries, and a means of socialization for new immigrants In exchange, the immigrants offered votes

“Boss System”

William “Boss” Tweed Tammany Hall

Democratic political machine in NYC “Tweed Ring” - small group of men who controlled New York City's finances

Boss Tweed. “As long as I count the votes, what are you going to do about it? say?” The Boss System aspect of Gilded Age illustrated in this cartoon

Grant’s Black Friday

President Ulysses S. Grant During Reconstruction,

greenbacks

issued without gold backing them.

James Fisk & Jay Gould

sought

to corner

the

gold market

Conspired with

Grant’s brother-in-law, financier Abel Corbin

Manipulated Grant in social situations to hold gold

Summer

1969 - started

buying up all the gold

(Prices rise, stocks plummet)

September 20

, 1969 -

start hoarding gold

(Drive prices even higher)

Friday, September 24, 1969

-

Grant discovers what is going on and releases gov’t gold and prices plummet

Corbis Despair after the collapse of the gold market

Whiskey Ring Scandal

During the

Reconstruction

, the

government needed funds to

help the

recovery process Enacted steep taxes

- especially

on liquor

Upset, distilleries concocted a plan to retain the money which involved bribing government officials.

St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Peoria Soon, millions of dollars were missing in federal taxes and high government officials (including President Grant’s personal secretary Orville E. Babcock) were embroiled.

In 1847, it was finally busted by the new

Secretary of Treasury Benjamin Bristow

.

- organized a

secret investigation

that

exposed the ring

and resulted in 238 indictments and 110 convictions

Whiskey Ring