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POLITICS IN THE GILDED AGE
"The golden gleam of the gilded surface hides the cheapness of the metal underneath.“ Mark Twain
PopularNames1880
Rank Male name Female name1 John Mary2 William Anna3 James Emma4 Charles Elizabeth5 George Minnie6 Frank Margaret7 Joseph Ida8 Thomas Alice9 Henry Bertha
10 Robert Sarah11 Edward Annie12 Harry Clara13 Walter Ella14 Arthur Florence15 Fred Cora16 Albert Martha17 Samuel Laura18 David Nellie19 Louis Grace20 Joe Carrie
Popularity in 1880
Grant – Great General, Poor President
Lots of CorruptionIs he involved?Or too inept to notice?
Re-elected in 1872Decides not to seek 3rd
term in 1876
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/ulyssessgrant
Grant – CorruptionCrédit Mobilier– Pacific Railroad
hires itself to build railroad, bribes lawmakers. - V.P. is involved
Whiskey Ring - steals excise taxes – Grant’s secretary
Bribes to Sec of War from suppliers to Indian Reservations
http://cprr.org/Museum/Credit_Mobilier_1873.html
As cities grew in the late 19th century, so did political machines
Political machines controlled the activities of a political party in a city
Ward bosses, precinct captains, and the city boss worked to ensure their candidate was elected
ROLE OF THE POLITICAL BOSSThe “Boss” (typically the
mayor) controlled jobs, business licenses, and influenced the courts
Precinct captains and ward bosses were often 1st or 2nd generation immigrants so they helped immigrants with naturalization, jobs, and housing in exchange for votes
Boss Tweed ran NYC
MUNICIPAL GRAFT AND SCANDALPolitical machines used
fake names and voted multiple times to ensure victory
“Vote early and often”Graft (bribes) common
among political bossesConstruction contracts
often resulted in “kick-backs”
Police forces were hired by the boss prevented close scrutiny
THE TWEED RING SCANDALBoss Tweed, (William M.
Tweed) - head of Tammany Hall, NYC’s powerful Democratic political machines
Between 1869-1871, led the Tweed Ring, defrauding the city
Indicted on 120 counts of fraud and extortion
Sentenced to 12 years in jail – released after one, arrested again, and escaped to Spain
CIVIL SERVICE REPLACES PATRONAGE
Some politicians pushed for reform in the hiring system
The system had been based on Patronage; giving jobs and favors to those who helped a candidate get elected
Reformers pushed for an adoption of a merit system of hiring the most qualified for jobs
The Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 authorized a bipartisan commission to make appointments for federal jobs based on performance
Applicants for federal jobs are required to take a Civil Service Exam
The “Brains” that achieved the
Tammany Victory at the Rochester
Democratic Convention
http://cartoons.osu.edu/nast/images/the_brains100.jpg
http://cartoons.osu.edu/nast/images/tammany_tiger100.jpg
“What are you laughing at? To the victor belong the
spoils.”
http://cartoons.osu.edu/nast/images/what_are_you_laughing100.jpg
Nast’s most famous cartoon
1862Drew upon his
German heritage
http://cartoons.osu.edu/nast/santa_claus.htm
Election of 1876Hayes (R) v. Tilden (D)Tilden win popular vote, one vote shy of
electoral college victory, butFour states (20 votes) in doubt
Compromise of 1877, Hayes wins, if he ends reconstruction
SEGREGATION & DISCRIMINATION
After Reconstruction, Southern States adopted system of legal discrimination
VOTING RESTRICTIONS
Poll Tax
Literacy Tests – link
Grandfather Clause
PLESSY v. FERGUSON
Plessy arrested for sitting in whites-only train car
Supreme Court ruled segregation was legal and did not violate the 14th Amendment
“Separate, But Equal”
DISCRIMINATION IN THE NORTHMany blacks migrated to the North in
hopes of better jobs & equality
Still faced discrimination: low paying jobs and segregated neighborhoods
DemocraticBloc
RepublicanBloc
White southerners(preservation of white supremacy)
Catholics & Jews
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 middle class
Well-Defined Voting Blocs
Farmers Unite to Address ProblemsLate 1800 Economic ProblemsFalling pricesMortgaged farms / equipment buying on creditIncrease in bank foreclosuresIncrease in railroad shipping charges – Long haul v. Short
haul
Effects of Retiring the GreenbacksFarmers borrowed – Greenbacks not worth as muchGreenbacks retired - $ left in circulation worth moreFarmers had to pay back loans w/ crop prices down
less profitFarmers wanted more $ (silver) in circulation –
to cause inflation (good for borrowers)
Gold Bugs Silverites
Who they were Bankers and businessmen
Farmers and laborers
What they wanted
Gold standardLess $ in circulation
BimetallismMore $ in circulation
Why Loans would be repaid with stable $
Products would be sold at a higher $
Effects Deflation-Prices fall-value of $ increasesFewer people have $
Inflation-Prices rise-value of $ decreases-more people have $
The Grange (The Patrons of Husbandry)1867Social outlet for farmersEducational forumFight Railroads (high pricing / legislation)Established coops (cooperatives)
Farmers Alliance
Education of farmers (business & agriculture)Southern Alliance – white farmersColored Farmers’ National Alliance – black farmers
Populism
People’s Party (1892) Populist Party ConventionoIncrease in $ supply increasing prices oGraduated income tax oFederal loan programoPopular vote of U.S. SenatorsoTerm limits – President / Vice PresidentoSecret Balloto8 hour work dayoRestrictions on immigration
oAppealed to Farmers and Laborers
Panic of 1893CausesFarm debtRailroads decreasing markets railroad
bankruptcyDecrease in government supply of gold from
buying silverEffectsPeople panicked stock market prices dropPrice of silver falls silver mines closeIncrease national bankruptcy less investmentDecrease consumer spending, wages, prices
Election of 1896RepublicansIndustrial EastGold Standard
“Gold Bugs”William McKinleyEffects Deflation
Increase value of $ Decrease of prices Fewer people have $
Democrats / Populists
South + WestBimetalism -
“Silverites”William Jennings BryanEffects
Inflation Decrease in $ Increase in prices More people have $
Cross of Gold Speech
“You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon
a cross of gold.”