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Gilded Age Politics

Gilded Age Politics. 15.3. Political Machine. Informal group of politicians who controlled local governments Often Corrupt Believed in the SPOILS SYSTEM : Giving political positions to friends/supporters. LOCAL Corruption. Election fraud Having people vote twice in costumes

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Gilded Age Politics

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  1. Gilded Age Politics 15.3

  2. Political Machine • Informal group of politicians who controlled local governments • Often Corrupt • Believed in the SPOILS SYSTEM: • Giving political positions to friends/supporters

  3. LOCAL Corruption • Election fraud • Having people vote twice in costumes • Bribes/Payoffs • Took and offered money to officials to look the other way • Exploited certain groups • Gave immigrants benefits in return for their vote when naturalized • Scandals • Tweed ring pocketed millions after lying about the cost of a court house

  4. Federal Corruption • Ulysses S. Grant Administration Scandals • 1869 Credit Mobilier • construction company that was set up to funnel money to directors of Union Pacific Railroad • stocks were also given to top government officials • 1875 Whiskey Ring • Grant’s private secretary and VP were involved in a company that kept whiskey taxes that were supposed to go to the Federal Treasury

  5. HAYES for President • 1877 Rutherford B. Hayes calls for REFORM • Prohibited government employees from managing political parties and campaigns

  6. Garfield Carries the Torch • 1880 James A. Garfield is elected • continues Hayes’ reform movement • Is assassinated in 1881 by Charles Guiteau because he was denied a job.

  7. Chester Arthur • Turned against the spoils system as well • Pendleton Service Act • Promotions must be based on merit • Reduced corruption

  8. CLIP • As you watch the clip answer the following questions • How many scandals was Grant involved in? • What was the Salary Grab? • Why, ultimately, was this corruption “Grant’s fault”? • BREAK TIME

  9. Farmers in Politics • Hardships • Crop prices were falling • Railroad companies over-charged for transporting crops • Farmers borrowed large sums of money to purchase farm equipment

  10. Farmers in Politics • National Grange • Unite farmers and regulate railroad rates • Farmers Alliance • Formed a new political party • Populist Party • “people’s party” to represent the common people

  11. Cleveland and McKinley • 1892 Grover Cleveland is elected • Economic depression • Maintained Gold Standard • 1896 William McKinley • Also maintains GS

  12. CLIP • As you watch the clip answer the following questions • Who did the farmers feel was at fault for their misfortune? • List one of the Populist Party ideals. • BREAKTIME

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