Chapter 23Chapter 23

““Politics in the Gilded AgePolitics in the Gilded Age””

Election of 1868Election of 1868 Republican – GrantRepublican – Grant

– A great soldier but had no A great soldier but had no political experience.political experience.

– Campaigned by Campaigned by ““waving the waving the bloody shirtbloody shirt””

Democrats – SeymourDemocrats – Seymour**Grant pulled out a surprisingly close **Grant pulled out a surprisingly close

victory. Won by only 300,000 victory. Won by only 300,000 popular votespopular votes

**Former slaves and African-Americans **Former slaves and African-Americans gave Grant the victorygave Grant the victory

Ulysses S. Grant was convicted of Ulysses S. Grant was convicted of exceeding the speed limit while exceeding the speed limit while riding with his horse in the streets riding with his horse in the streets of Washington, D.C. late one night. of Washington, D.C. late one night. The accusing police officer was The accusing police officer was reluctant to issue the $20 fine reluctant to issue the $20 fine when he realized that the offender when he realized that the offender was President Grant, but Grant was President Grant, but Grant insisted the he be fined.insisted the he be fined.

Gilded Age CorruptionGilded Age Corruption Railroad companies were cheating Railroad companies were cheating

customerscustomers Many judges and legislators put their Many judges and legislators put their

power up for hire power up for hire The infamous Tweed ring of NYC, headed The infamous Tweed ring of NYC, headed

by by ““BossBoss”” Tweed, employed bribery, Tweed, employed bribery, graft, and fake elections to cheat the city graft, and fake elections to cheat the city of as much as $200 million.of as much as $200 million.

– Tweed was finally caught when Tweed was finally caught when The New York The New York TimesTimes secured evidence of his misdeeds, and secured evidence of his misdeeds, and Tweed, despite being defended by future Tweed, despite being defended by future presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden, was presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden, was convicted and imprisoned.convicted and imprisoned.

Boss TweedBoss Tweed

Tweed RingTweed Ring

Corruption in the Grant Corruption in the Grant AdministrationAdministration

Whiskey RingWhiskey Ring– Robbed the Treasury of millions of dollars, and when Robbed the Treasury of millions of dollars, and when

GrantGrant’’s own private secretary was shown to be one of s own private secretary was shown to be one of the criminals, Grant retracted his earlier statement of the criminals, Grant retracted his earlier statement of ““Let no guilty man escape.Let no guilty man escape.””

Credit Mobilier Scandal Credit Mobilier Scandal – A railroad construction company that paid itself huge A railroad construction company that paid itself huge

sums of money for small railroad construction, hurt sums of money for small railroad construction, hurt Grant.Grant.

– A New York newspaper finally busted it, and two A New York newspaper finally busted it, and two members of Congress were formally censured (the members of Congress were formally censured (the company had given some of its stock to Congressmen) company had given some of its stock to Congressmen) and the Vice President himself was shown to have and the Vice President himself was shown to have accepted 20 shares of stock.accepted 20 shares of stock.

Election of 1872Election of 1872

Republicans – GrantRepublicans – Grant Democrats – Horace Democrats – Horace

GreeleyGreeley– Grant crushed Greeley in the Grant crushed Greeley in the

Electoral and in the popular vote Electoral and in the popular vote as well as well

– Not long after the election, Not long after the election, Greeley's wife died. He was Greeley's wife died. He was Grief-stricken and died before Grief-stricken and died before the electoral votes could be the electoral votes could be cast. Greeley would have cast. Greeley would have received 66 electoral votes; they received 66 electoral votes; they were scattered among others were scattered among others because of his death. However, because of his death. However, three of Georgia's electoral three of Georgia's electoral votes were left blank in honor of votes were left blank in honor of him.him.

Nast Cartoon Hatred of Nast Cartoon Hatred of GreeleyGreeley

1873 Depression1873 Depression In 1873, a paralyzing panic broke out, In 1873, a paralyzing panic broke out,

caused by too many railroads and factories caused by too many railroads and factories being formed than existing markets could being formed than existing markets could bear and the over-loaning of banks to those bear and the over-loaning of banks to those projects.projects.

Demand by debtors for greenbacks to fight Demand by debtors for greenbacks to fight deflationdeflation

Grant resisted by passing the Resumption Grant resisted by passing the Resumption Act which took more greenbacks out of Act which took more greenbacks out of circulationcirculation

Solution to debtors was free and unlimited Solution to debtors was free and unlimited coinage of silvercoinage of silver

Coinage of SilverCoinage of Silver

Bland-Allison Bland-Allison ActAct - instructed - instructed the Treasury to the Treasury to buy and coin buy and coin between $2 between $2 million and $4 million and $4 million worth of million worth of silver bullion each silver bullion each month.month.

1878 Bland-Allison Silver 1878 Bland-Allison Silver DollarsDollars

Comstock Lode Silver MineComstock Lode Silver Mine

Gilded Age DefinedGilded Age Defined By 1870, not only the role of women By 1870, not only the role of women

was being challenged. Industrialists, was being challenged. Industrialists, corporations, utilities, bankers, and corporations, utilities, bankers, and brokers were increasingly viewed as brokers were increasingly viewed as an enemy by the working class, whose an enemy by the working class, whose wages had stagnated while men who wages had stagnated while men who were already millionaires got richer. were already millionaires got richer. Failed land deals, speculation, and Failed land deals, speculation, and corruption were prevalent. Many corruption were prevalent. Many workers went from being independent workers went from being independent tradesmen to being wage laborers tradesmen to being wage laborers concentrated in large factories. concentrated in large factories. Millions of immigrants swelled the Millions of immigrants swelled the population of U.S. cities and began to population of U.S. cities and began to compete for jobs. Labor unions were compete for jobs. Labor unions were born to represent these angry and born to represent these angry and beleaguered workers.beleaguered workers.

Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner captured some of this turmoil Warner captured some of this turmoil in a book on which they collaborated, in a book on which they collaborated, The Gilded Age,The Gilded Age, a tale of corruption a tale of corruption and failed land deals and a loss of and failed land deals and a loss of innocence. The book's title was often innocence. The book's title was often used to describe this period.used to describe this period.

Gilded Age PoliticsGilded Age Politics Age of tip toe politics because elections were Age of tip toe politics because elections were

close and therefore presidents were weakclose and therefore presidents were weak Democrats had strong support in the South Democrats had strong support in the South Republicans had strong votes in the North Republicans had strong votes in the North

and the West, and from the Grand Army of and the West, and from the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization made up of the Republic, an organization made up of former Union veterans.former Union veterans.

Both parties has strong support from the Both parties has strong support from the peoplepeople

Very little difference between the two partiesVery little difference between the two parties

3. Well-Defined Voting 3. Well-Defined Voting BlocsBlocs

3. Well-Defined Voting 3. Well-Defined Voting BlocsBlocs

DemocraticBloc

DemocraticBloc

RepublicanBloc

RepublicanBloc

White southerners(preservation ofwhite supremacy)

Catholics

Recent immigrants

Urban working poor (pro-labor)

Most farmers

Northern whites(pro-business)

African Americans

Northern Protestants

Old WASPs (supportfor anti-immigrant laws)

Most of the middleclass

Election of 1876Election of 1876

Democrats – Samuel TildenDemocrats – Samuel Tilden– Lawyer who brought down Tweed ring in Lawyer who brought down Tweed ring in

NYNY Republicans – Rutherford B. HayesRepublicans – Rutherford B. Hayes

– StalwartsStalwarts Led by Rosco Conkling who pushed for the Led by Rosco Conkling who pushed for the

spoils systemspoils system

– Half BreedsHalf Breeds Led by James G. BlaineLed by James G. Blaine

– Hayes was a compromise candidateHayes was a compromise candidate

Settling the Disputed Election Settling the Disputed Election of 1876of 1876

The election was very close, with The election was very close, with Tilden getting 184 votes out of a Tilden getting 184 votes out of a needed 185 in the Electoral College, needed 185 in the Electoral College, but votes in four states, Louisiana, but votes in four states, Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida, and part of South Carolina, Florida, and part of Oregon, were unsure and disputed Oregon, were unsure and disputed

The disputed states had sent in two The disputed states had sent in two sets of returns, one Democrat, one sets of returns, one Democrat, one Republican Republican

Creation of the Electoral Creation of the Electoral CommissionCommission

The Electoral Count Act, passed in 1877, The Electoral Count Act, passed in 1877, set up an electoral commission that set up an electoral commission that consisted of 15 men selected from the consisted of 15 men selected from the Senate the House, and the Supreme Court, Senate the House, and the Supreme Court, which would count the votes (the 15th which would count the votes (the 15th man was to be an independent, David man was to be an independent, David Davis, but at the last moment, he Davis, but at the last moment, he resigned).resigned).

In February of 1877, the Senate and the In February of 1877, the Senate and the House met to settle the dispute, and House met to settle the dispute, and eventually, Hayes became president as a eventually, Hayes became president as a part of the Compromise of 1877 part of the Compromise of 1877

Compromise of 1877Compromise of 1877

1.1. Hayes would become PresidentHayes would become President

2.2. Republicans agreed to remove all troops Republicans agreed to remove all troops from the South effectively ending from the South effectively ending ReconstructionReconstruction

3.3. Creation of a southern transcontinental Creation of a southern transcontinental RailroadRailroad

4.4. Republicans abandoned their commitment Republicans abandoned their commitment to civil rights to civil rights

5.5. Southerners would receive patronage Southerners would receive patronage (jobs) in Hayes cabinet(jobs) in Hayes cabinet

Election of 1876Election of 1876

Nast Cartoon on Election of Nast Cartoon on Election of 18761876

End of Republican Crusade for End of Republican Crusade for Civil RightsCivil Rights

Physical HarmPhysical Harm Rise of the KKKRise of the KKK Literacy tests, grandfather clauses, poll taxesLiteracy tests, grandfather clauses, poll taxes SharecroppingSharecropping Crop Lein SystemCrop Lein System Tenant farmingTenant farming Jim Crowe Laws – Separate but equal Jim Crowe Laws – Separate but equal

facilitiesfacilities lynchingslynchings

Discrimination in the SouthDiscrimination in the South

Plessey Vs FergusonPlessey Vs Ferguson A case decided by the A case decided by the

Supreme Court in the Supreme Court in the 1890s. The Court held 1890s. The Court held that a state could that a state could require racial require racial segregation in public segregation in public facilities if the facilities facilities if the facilities offered the two races offered the two races were equal. The Courtwere equal. The Court’’s s requirement became requirement became known as the known as the ““separate separate but equalbut equal”” doctrine. It doctrine. It was overturned by the was overturned by the Court in 1954 in Court in 1954 in Brown Brown versus Board of versus Board of Education.Education.

Class Conflicts and Ethnic Class Conflicts and Ethnic ClashesClashes

Great Railroad StrikeGreat Railroad Strike– In 1877, the presidents of the nationIn 1877, the presidents of the nation’’s four largest s four largest

railroads decided to cut wages by 10%, and workers railroads decided to cut wages by 10%, and workers struck back, stopping work, and when President Hayes struck back, stopping work, and when President Hayes sent troops to stop this, violence erupted, and more sent troops to stop this, violence erupted, and more than 100 people died in the several weeks of chaos.than 100 people died in the several weeks of chaos.

– The failure of the railroad strike showed the weakness The failure of the railroad strike showed the weakness of the labor movement, but this was partly caused by of the labor movement, but this was partly caused by friction between races, especially between the Irish friction between races, especially between the Irish and the Chinese.and the Chinese.

In San Francisco, Irish-born Denis Kearney In San Francisco, Irish-born Denis Kearney incited his followers to terrorize the Chinese incited his followers to terrorize the Chinese

Chinese Exclusion Act Chinese Exclusion Act – Forbade Chinese from immigrating to AmericaForbade Chinese from immigrating to America

Anti-ChineseAnti-Chinese

Election of 1880Election of 1880 Republicans – James Republicans – James

GarfieldGarfield– Darkhorse candidateDarkhorse candidate– VP candidate was VP candidate was

Chester Authur a Chester Authur a Stalwart who had Stalwart who had risen up the ranks via risen up the ranks via the spoils systemthe spoils system

Democrats – Winfield Democrats – Winfield Scott HancockScott Hancock

**Garfield won election**Garfield won election

Assassination of GarfieldAssassination of Garfield Garfield was a good Garfield was a good

person, but he hated to person, but he hated to hurt peoplehurt people’’s feelings s feelings and say and say ““no.no.””

Garfield died after Garfield died after having been shot in the having been shot in the back by a crazy but back by a crazy but disappointed office disappointed office seeker, Charles J. seeker, Charles J. Guiteau, who, after Guiteau, who, after being capture, used an being capture, used an early version of the early version of the ““insanity defenseinsanity defense”” to to avoid conviction (he was avoid conviction (he was hung anyway) hung anyway)

Chester AurthurChester Aurthur

Chester Arthur didnChester Arthur didn’’t seem to be fit for the t seem to be fit for the presidency, but he surprised many by giving presidency, but he surprised many by giving the cold shoulder to Stalwarts, his chief the cold shoulder to Stalwarts, his chief supporters, and by calling for reform, a call supporters, and by calling for reform, a call heeded by the Republican party as it began heeded by the Republican party as it began to show newly found enthusiasm for reform to show newly found enthusiasm for reform

Pendalton Act PassedPendalton Act Passed– Set up a Civil Service Commission to review Set up a Civil Service Commission to review

hiring practiceshiring practices– Made a competitive testMade a competitive test

Election of 1884Election of 1884 Republicans – James BlaineRepublicans – James Blaine

– Republican reformers unable to Republican reformers unable to stomach Blaine switched to the stomach Blaine switched to the Democratic Party and were Democratic Party and were dubbed dubbed MugwumpsMugwumps

Democrats – Grover ClevelandDemocrats – Grover Cleveland– Democrats received a shock Democrats received a shock

when it was revealed that he when it was revealed that he might have been the father of an might have been the father of an illegitimate child.illegitimate child.

**The contest depended on how New **The contest depended on how New Yorkeres voted, until a Yorkeres voted, until a Republican insulted the race, Republican insulted the race, faith, and patriotism of New faith, and patriotism of New YorkYork’’s heavy Irish population, and s heavy Irish population, and as a result, New York voted for as a result, New York voted for Cleveland; that was the Cleveland; that was the difference (Rum Romanism and difference (Rum Romanism and rebellion)rebellion)

President Grover Cleveland was a draft President Grover Cleveland was a draft dodger. He hired someone to dodger. He hired someone to enter the service in his place. He enter the service in his place. He was ridiculed by his political was ridiculed by his political opponent, James Blaine, but it opponent, James Blaine, but it was soon discovered that Blaine was soon discovered that Blaine had done the same thing himself!had done the same thing himself!

Rum, Romanism & Rum, Romanism & Rebellion!Rebellion!

Rum, Romanism & Rum, Romanism & Rebellion!Rebellion!

Reference to the Democratic Party.

Blaine was slow torepudiate the remark.

Narrow victory forCleveland [he wins NYby only 1149 votes!].

Malicious anti-Cleveland Malicious anti-Cleveland CartonCarton

Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland Portly Grover Cleveland was the first Democratic Portly Grover Cleveland was the first Democratic

president since James Buchanan, and as a supporter of president since James Buchanan, and as a supporter of laissez-faire, he delighted business owners and bankers laissez-faire, he delighted business owners and bankers

Military pensions plagued Cleveland; these bills were Military pensions plagued Cleveland; these bills were given to Civil War veterans to help them, but they were given to Civil War veterans to help them, but they were used fraudulently to give money to all sorts of people.used fraudulently to give money to all sorts of people.

By 1881, the Treasury had a surplus of $145 million, By 1881, the Treasury had a surplus of $145 million, most of it having come from the high tariff, and there most of it having come from the high tariff, and there was lots of clamor for lowering the tariff, though big was lots of clamor for lowering the tariff, though big industrialists opposed industrialists opposed

In late 1887, Cleveland openly tossed the appeal for In late 1887, Cleveland openly tossed the appeal for lower tariffs into the lap of Congress.lower tariffs into the lap of Congress.

Upset Big BusinessUpset Big Business

Election of 1888Election of 1888

Republicans – Benjamin HarrisonRepublicans – Benjamin Harrison– grandson of William H. Harrison, as their grandson of William H. Harrison, as their

candidate candidate Democrats – Grover ClevelandDemocrats – Grover Cleveland

– passed the passed the Dawes ActDawes Act (to control the (to control the Indians) and the Indians) and the Interstate Commerce Interstate Commerce ActAct (designed to curb railroads), both of (designed to curb railroads), both of which were passed in 1887.which were passed in 1887.

– Lost support of Big BusinessLost support of Big Business

Big Business bought votes for Harrison in NY and Ohio. In spite of receiving 300,000 less votes Harrison won in the electoral college

Coming Out for Coming Out for HarrisonHarrison

Coming Out for Coming Out for HarrisonHarrison

Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin Harrison After four years out of the White House, the After four years out of the White House, the

Republicans were eager to return to power, Republicans were eager to return to power, especially those seeking political rewards especially those seeking political rewards

James G. Blaine became the Secretary of James G. Blaine became the Secretary of State State

Theodore Roosevelt was named to the Civil Theodore Roosevelt was named to the Civil Service Commission Service Commission

Gave pensions to Civil War Vets to use up Gave pensions to Civil War Vets to use up the surplus in hopes of increasing the tariffthe surplus in hopes of increasing the tariff

The Pension Act of 1890 gave pensions to The Pension Act of 1890 gave pensions to all Union Civil War veterans who had all Union Civil War veterans who had served at least 90 days in the army.served at least 90 days in the army.

President Benjamin Harrison

Secretary of State James Blaine

TR Civil Service Commission

Grand Army of the RepublicGrand Army of the Republic

““Billion DollarBillion Dollar”” Congress Congress

Thomas Thomas ““CzarCzar”” Reed was the new Reed was the new Speaker of the Speaker of the HouseHouse

Sherman Silver Purchase Sherman Silver Purchase ActAct

Allowed the Treasury to buy 4.5 Allowed the Treasury to buy 4.5 million ounces of silver monthly and million ounces of silver monthly and pay for it in notes redeemable in pay for it in notes redeemable in silver OR goldsilver OR gold

Doubled Bland-AllisonDoubled Bland-Allison

McKinley Tariff BillMcKinley Tariff Bill

Boosted tariff rates up to 48.4%—the Boosted tariff rates up to 48.4%—the highest level yet highest level yet

The farmers were hurt the most from The farmers were hurt the most from this tariff because they had to pay this tariff because they had to pay higher prices for eastern goods. higher prices for eastern goods.

As a result, in the election of 1890, As a result, in the election of 1890, Democratic seats in the House rose Democratic seats in the House rose to 235, while Republicans only had to 235, while Republicans only had 88 representatives 88 representatives

Linking the Sherman Silver Linking the Sherman Silver Purchase and the McKinley Purchase and the McKinley

TariffTariff Farmers got what they wanted – Farmers got what they wanted –

More silverMore silver Big Business got what they wanted – Big Business got what they wanted –

A higher protective tariff.A higher protective tariff.

Election of 1892Election of 1892 Republicans – Benjamin Republicans – Benjamin

HarrisonHarrison Democrats – Grover Democrats – Grover

ClevelandCleveland Populist – James Populist – James

WeaverWeaver– Rolled up over 1Million Rolled up over 1Million

votes and 22 electoral votes and 22 electoral votesvotes

**Grover Cleveland won **Grover Cleveland won election. Became the election. Became the only president to win two only president to win two non-consecutive termsnon-consecutive terms

Populist PartyPopulist Party Grange – Farmers Alliance – Populist PartyGrange – Farmers Alliance – Populist Party Populist PlatformPopulist Platform

1.1. Free and unlimited coinage of silverFree and unlimited coinage of silver2.2. Graduated income taxGraduated income tax3.3. Government ownership of telephone, Government ownership of telephone,

telegraph, and railroadstelegraph, and railroads4.4. Direct election of SenatorsDirect election of Senators5.5. One term limit for presidentOne term limit for president6.6. Initiative, referendum, and recallInitiative, referendum, and recall7.7. Shorter work day for industrial workers – Shorter work day for industrial workers –

attempt to get the factory workers voteattempt to get the factory workers vote8.8. Immigration restrictionsImmigration restrictions

Govt.-Owned Govt.-Owned CompaniesCompanies

Govt.-Owned Govt.-Owned CompaniesCompanies

Historical cartoon of Populist Party as a snake with William

Jennings Bryan's head swallowing donkey of the Democratic Party

(Library of Congress

Populist ProblemsPopulist Problems

The South was unwilling to support The South was unwilling to support the Populists because of race: one the Populists because of race: one million Black farmers in the Colored million Black farmers in the Colored FarmersFarmers’’ National Alliance, along with National Alliance, along with other Blacks, were targets of Populist other Blacks, were targets of Populist outreach outreach

Populist leaders like GeorgiaPopulist leaders like Georgia’’s Tom s Tom Watson reached out to the Black Watson reached out to the Black community, but racist Whites stunted community, but racist Whites stunted Populist support in the South.Populist support in the South.

Homestead Steel StrikeHomestead Steel Strike

Homestead steel strikeHomestead steel strike - plant near - plant near Pittsburgh, a strike resulted in Pittsburgh, a strike resulted in violence that killed ten and violence that killed ten and wounded sixtywounded sixty

Pinkerton detectives called in to Pinkerton detectives called in to break up the riotingbreak up the rioting

Pinkerton DetectivesPinkerton Detectives The Pinkerton Detective The Pinkerton Detective

Agency often supplied men Agency often supplied men to break strikes. In 1892 to break strikes. In 1892 the Amalgamated Iron and the Amalgamated Iron and Steel Workers Union called Steel Workers Union called out its members at the out its members at the Homestead plant owned by Homestead plant owned by Andrew Carnegie and Andrew Carnegie and Henry Frick. The men were Henry Frick. The men were brought in on armed brought in on armed barges down the barges down the Monongahela River. The Monongahela River. The strikers were waiting for strikers were waiting for them and a day long battle them and a day long battle took place. Seven took place. Seven Pinkerton agents and nine Pinkerton agents and nine workers were killed and workers were killed and created a great deal of bad created a great deal of bad publicity for the agency publicity for the agency

ClevelandCleveland’’s Tough Second s Tough Second TermTerm

The Depression of 1893 hitThe Depression of 1893 hit About 8000 American business houses collapsed in six About 8000 American business houses collapsed in six

months, and dozens of railroad lines went into the hands months, and dozens of railroad lines went into the hands of receivers of receivers

Gold Drain - the Treasury had to issue gold for the notes Gold Drain - the Treasury had to issue gold for the notes that it had paid in the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, and that it had paid in the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, and according to law, those notes had to be reissued, thus according to law, those notes had to be reissued, thus causing a steady drain on gold in the Treasury—the level causing a steady drain on gold in the Treasury—the level alarmingly dropped below $100 million at one point!alarmingly dropped below $100 million at one point!

Repealed Sherman Silver Purchase Act – Upset farmers Repealed Sherman Silver Purchase Act – Upset farmers and debtorsand debtors

Made a deal with JP Morgan to borrow $65 Million in gold Made a deal with JP Morgan to borrow $65 Million in gold to shore up the treasury – also upset the common man to shore up the treasury – also upset the common man who saw this as a business/government alliancewho saw this as a business/government alliance

Sent troops in on striking workers at the Pullman StrikeSent troops in on striking workers at the Pullman Strike

CoxeyCoxey’’s Armys Army

1894 Jacob Coxey and his 1894 Jacob Coxey and his ““Commonwealth ArmyCommonwealth Army”” marched to marched to Washington D.C., but upon reaching Washington D.C., but upon reaching there, he and his there, he and his ““lieutenantslieutenants”” were were arrested for walking on the grass.arrested for walking on the grass.

Coxey demanded that the Coxey demanded that the government relieve unemployment by government relieve unemployment by an inflationary public works programan inflationary public works program