Issues of the Gilded Age

1. Issues of the Gilded Age

2. Segregation and Social Tensions • Many southern gov’t enacted Jim Crow Laws, which took away the voting rights of African Americans. • B/c of the 15th Amendment the states had to offer a polling place but there were no restrictions on its location or voting requirements. • Poll taxes and literacy tests were used to prevent African Americans from voting. • Southern states also enacted grandfather clauses, which allowed a person to vote as long as their ancestors had voted prior to 1866.

4. Plessy v. Ferguson • In 1890, Louisiana passed a “separate but equal” laws in regards to railroad facilities. • Homer Plessy, an African American, sat in a car reserved for whites only & was arrested when he refused to move. • Plessy argues that the Separate Car Act violated the 14th Amendment. • A 7-1 majority declared that the state was not in violation of the 14th Amendment setting the stage for other “separate but equal” laws across the south.

5. Jim Crow

8. Ponce De Leon Park in Atlanta with sign "colored people admitted as servants only"

14. African American Oppose Injustices • The most famous black leader during the 19th century was Booker T. Washington. • Placed a focus on creating a life for oneself by “pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps.” • Created the Tuskegee Institute which provided technical education programs.

15. Opposition Cont. • W.E.B. Du Bois, who was Harvard educated, criticized Washington’s views and stated that blacks should demand full and immediate equality and not limit themselves to vocational education. • Ida B. Wells was an African American women who purchased a newspaper known as the Free Speechand published articles condemning the mistreatment of blacks.

18. Political & Economic Challenges • The political arena was very weak during the Gilded Age with neither major political party gaining a majority for any given time. • Under the spoils system politicians awarded gov’t jobs based on party affiliations rather than qualifications. • The Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 created the Civil Service Commission, which wrote an exam for applicants.

19. Farmers & Populism • Between 1870 & 1895 farm prices plummeted. • Oliver H. Kelley founded the Grange, which provided education on new farming techniques and calling for the regulation of railroad rates. • The spread of the Farmers’ Alliances culminated with the formation of the Populists Party in 1892.

20. The Election of 1896 • In 1893, a 4 yr. long depression began that not only worsened conditions for farmers but all Americans. • Dissatisfaction grew among the major parties. • The Democratic nominee was William Jennings Bryan. • Bryan was the first to tour the country speaking to people while campaigning.

22. Election of 1896 Cont. • William McKinley was the Republican candidate. • McKinley accumulated $15 million dollars and hired regulators to campaign for him. • McKinley won the election and due to their support of Bryan the Populists Party did not carry much weight outside of the South.