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Chapter 15 Section 1

Chapter 15 Section 1. Politics in the Gilded Age. Gilded Age. Gilded means covered with a thin layer of gold Gilded Age suggests that a thin but glittering layer of prosperity covered the poverty and corruption of much of society.

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Chapter 15 Section 1

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  1. Chapter 15 Section 1 Politics in the Gilded Age

  2. Gilded Age • Gilded means covered with a thin layer of gold • Gilded Age suggests that a thin but glittering layer of prosperity covered the poverty and corruption of much of society

  3. Is the term Gilded Age a positive or negative description of this period? Explain • Negative • It suggests that the positive and prosperous aspects of society were a thin, golden layer masking numerous problems, such as poverty and corruption

  4. Laissez Faire • A hands off approach to economic matters • Government should play a very limited role in business • Supporters would say that if government stays out of the way, strong businesses will succeed and bring wealth to the entire nation

  5. Subsidy • A payment made by the government to encourage the development of certain key industries, such as railroads • To ensure government aid, some business owners would support friendly politicians with bribes

  6. What is the purpose of a subsidy? • To promote the expansion of industries deemed essential by the government.

  7. Blue Law • Regulations that prohibited certain private activities that some people considered immoral • Republicans supported these laws, Democrats did not • Blue laws were just one of many issues that divided Republicans and Democrats

  8. Civil Service • The government’s nonelected workers • Very corrupt during the Gilded Age • Many civil service workers hired because they had powerful friends, bribed the right person, or made a campaign contribution to the right politician..rarely hired because they were qualified

  9. Pendleton Service Act • Passed in 1883 • Created a Civil Service Commission which tested how qualified applicants were for Civil Service jobs • Signed into law by President Chester Arthur

  10. Rebate • Partial refunds to favored customers • This would give an advantage to one business over another when it comes to railroad transportation • RRs would also keep rates secret so they could charge whatever they wanted or charge more for short hauls than long hauls

  11. Munn v. Illinois • 1877 Supreme Court Case • Allowed states to regulate certain businesses inside their borders (including railroads) • However, this does not regulate interstate railroad traffic • Corruption could still exist there

  12. How did the Interstate Commerce Act affect railroads? • It required railroads to set rates according to distance and to make rates public and universal for all customers

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