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The Gilded Age (1877-1896)

The Gilded Age (1877-1896). I. Introduction. The Gilded Age (1874): Samuel Clemens and Charles Dudley Warner satirized America as a land of shallow money grubbers. Historians used the expression “Gilded Age” to characterize the late 19 th century. II. Political Machines.

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The Gilded Age (1877-1896)

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  1. The Gilded Age(1877-1896)

  2. I. Introduction • The Gilded Age (1874): Samuel Clemens and Charles Dudley Warner satirized America as a land of shallow money grubbers. • Historians used the expression “Gilded Age” to characterize the late 19th century.

  3. II. Political Machines • Rose in response to urban services • The “boss” presided over the city’s “machine” – an unofficial political organization designed to keep a particular party or faction in office. • Rewarded friends and punished enemies • Used kickbacks – contractors pay % to back machine • Boss Tweed • New York’s Tammany Hall controlled 60,000 jobs

  4. III. Politics in the Gilded Age • Grant Presidency tainted with corruption 1869-1877 • Postwar Political Parties • Republican • Gained supported from western farmers; those who benefited from high tariffs and national banks • Old immigrant protestants • Saw US as a nation rather than a federation of states • Democrat • Support centered in the South • Support from northern city machines and new immigrants who were Catholic • Represented the interest of ordinary people and curbing federal power

  5. IV. National Issues • Four issues important at the national level: • Tariff Policy • Created to protect American manufactured goods • Symbol of privileged business men • Republicans – high tariff protects business and farmers from foreign influence • Democrats – low tariff, government is best which governs least • Monetary policy • Government Regulation • Civil Service Reform • Spoils system – rewarding jobs to party workers regardless of qualification • Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883) federal jobs filled according to rules

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