Ch. 16 Sect. 1 Politics In The Gilded Age

Objectives: 1. Explain how business influenced politics during the

Gilded Age 2. Describe the government efforts to reform the spoils

system and regulate the railroad. 3. Explain how the cycle of depression and prosperity hurt

the Democrats and helped the Republicans in the 1890s. Main Idea: From 1877 to 1900, national politics were dominated by

issues of corruption and reform.

The Business of Politics   The Gilded Age was coined by writer Mark Twain.

Meaning that the U.S. had a thin layer of glitter (wealth and prosperity) covering the poverty and corruption effecting most of society.

  The U.S. government practiced laissez-faire economics. The government took a hands off approach to the economy. They let businesses run the economy.

  The Gilded Age was known for widespread government corruption. Businesses bribed government leaders for favors. Politicians hired friends to government jobs called the spoils or patronage system

Monopolies influence national government

The Spoils (Patronage) System   Presidents Hayes and Garfield opposed the spoils system and

refused to use it.

  Garfield will be shot by a supporter of the spoils system and will suffer for three months before dying.

  Vice President Arthur became president and had supported the spoils system in New York. But after Garfield’s assassination he urged Congress to pass a law to end the spoils system.

  The Pendleton Civil Service Act became law in 1883 ending the spoils system. Government jobs were classified and tested applicants’ for those positions. Government workers could not be forced to make campaign donations and could not be fired for political reasons.

My Piece of Cake

Regulating Railroads  Railroads were charging different rates to

different people for the same service.

 They charged more for a short haul compared to a long haul on the same track.

 Congress passed the Interstate Commerce Act in 1887 to stop railroad abuse.

  Rates were determined by distance travelled and became public knowledge.

Gilded Age Cartoon

Eliminating Monopolies  In 1890, the Sherman Antitrust Act was

passed and signed by President Harrison.

 The law made monopolies illegal, but will not be fully enforced and will be fought by monopolies through the court system.

 The Supreme Court will uphold the law and will finally make monopolies illegal in the early 1900s.

Mark Twain 1835 - 1910