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Politics in the Gilded Age

Politics in the Gilded Age. Ch 8, Sec 1. The Gilded Age. “Gilded” – covered with a thin layer of gold. Coined by Twain; Thin layer of prosperity covering problems of the poor and corruption in politics. Roughly 1870-1900. Politics. Very little gov’t regulation in business.

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Politics in the Gilded Age

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  1. Politics in the Gilded Age Ch 8, Sec 1

  2. The Gilded Age • “Gilded” – covered with a thin layer of gold. • Coined by Twain; Thin layer of prosperity covering problems of the poor and corruption in politics. • Roughly 1870-1900.

  3. Politics • Very little gov’t regulation in business. • Laissez-fairegov’t – “Let it be”, “hands-off”. • Businesses would pay bribes for gov’t contracts, favorable laws/regulations. • Many scandals of politicians accepting bribes. • Would get subsidies, or payments made by gov’t to encourage business growth. • Lots of railroad subsidies.

  4. The spoils system was used in gov’t. • Elected officials appointed friends, relatives, supporters to gov’t jobs, regardless of qualification. • Ensured politicians had plenty of supporters. • Used by both political parties. • Republicans supported by bankers, industrialists, big farmers. • Democrats supported by immigrants, laborers, small farmers.

  5. Political Reform • 1877, President Rutherford B. Hayes refused to follow spoils system upon election. • Began reform of civil service system. (non-elected gov’t workers) • 1880, President James A. Garfield elected. • Assassinated July 2, 1881 by Charles Guiteau. • 1881, President Chester A. Arthur passed Pendleton Civil Service Act. • Created Civil Service Exam, prevented firing for political reasons.

  6. Rutherford B. Hayes James A. Garfield

  7. Chester A. Arthur Charles Guiteau

  8. 1884, Grover Cleveland elected. • “Ma, Ma, where’s my Pa?” • Began regulation of railroads. • RR’s charged more for short hauls, offered rebates to preferred customers, kept rates secret. • 1887, Congress passed Interstate Commerce Act. • RR’s charged by distance, made rates public, no special rates, creation of the ICC. • Did not give ICC power to enforce; had to sue RR’s. • Usually lost.

  9. Grover Cleveland

  10. Depression of 1893 • 1888, Benjamin Harrison elected. • Passed Sherman Anti-Trust Act, raised tariffs high, huge pensions to Civil War widows. • 1892, Grover Cleveland wins 2nd term. • Huge depression, millions laid off, banks closed. • Gov’t did not help. • 1896, William McKinley elected. • Strengthened gold standard. • American money backed by gold held in federal banks. • Assassinated in 1901 by anarchist Leon Czolgosz.

  11. William McKinley Benjamin Henry Harrison

  12. Gold at Fort Knox

  13. Leon Czolgosz

  14. Execution of Czolgosz

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