1. Chapter 8 POLITICS IN THE GILDED AGE page 244

2. Definition of “Gilded Age:”  Politics, corruption and greed lurked below the polite and prosperous American society during the late 1800’s.  In other words, it was wonderful looking in but very corrupt from the inside out!

3. Section 8.1 POLITICAL MACHINES/ pg.246-251  Overpopulation created new problems for the government. The government was not able to support the citizens like the political machines could.  New demands included more fireman and police and better sanitation, new construction of bridges, parks, schools, etc.

4. The solution to the problems and demands…  POLITICAL MACHINES!!!!! Definition: success in getting political leaders into office were referred to as political machines. Bosses: dictated party platforms, and made deals with business leaders for votes. “precinct” captains had the real power though (ex: Mike Kelly in the movie).  Offered jobs, political favors, services in return for VOTERS (right off the boat!)

5. Importance of Immigrants to Political Machines  Easily accessible – welcomed on arrival.  Had many needs for housing jobs, and services.  Represented a huge supply of supporters and voters.  Tended to be loyal to machines. (Why? Because they helped them settle into American life). Ex. James Pendergast (Kansas City boss) provided jobs, etc. specifically for African Americans, Irish Americans and Italian Americans. Mid 1800’s Irish Americans in Boston accounted for more than 1/3 rd of the cities votes!!!!!

6. Corruption and Illegal Activities  Machines hired men to “vote early and often.”  Bosses took bribes, payoffs and kickbacks (payments from part of a job or contract). All called GRAFT (gain of $ or power through illegal or dishonest methods). Philadelphia: 100 registered voters = 252 votes! Much support was given to the machines by the middle and poor classes!!! WHY?

7. Collapse of Tweed’s Support  1860’s – the most popular and corrupt boss. William Tweed controlled Tammany Hall in NYC.  Thomas Nast’s cartoons revealed Tweed’s corruption, even to people who couldn’t read very well.  The NEW YORK TIMES published a series of articles exposing Tweed. Between 1865-1871: Tweed made 200 million dollars!

8. Section 8.2: Restoring Honest Government; pages 252-258 Scandals in the Grant Administration  The Gold Market Scandal.  The Credit Mobilier Scandal.  The Whiskey Ring Scandal. WHAT ARE THE DETAILS OF THE SCANDALS?!?!?

9. Desire to reform Americans wanted political reform and honest officials because corruption had become so widespread. This desire split the Republican Party into the Stalwarts and the Half-Breeds. Stalwarts: opposed civil service reforms (supported jobs given because of patronage. Half Breeds: supported civil service reform (opposed patronage jobs).

10. President Arthur  Arthur began to support reform after the assassination of President Garfield, and this led to reformed Republicans voting for President Cleveland, the Democratic candidate, in the election of 1884. Assassination of Garfield: less than 4 months into his term he was shot and killed by Charles Guiteau (GUH-TOH). Guiteau believed that by killing Garfield he would further the Stalwarts cause but had the opposite effect. Arthur who originally supported the Stalwarts, was sympathetic to Garfield's cause and continued his efforts.

11. Pendleton Civil Service Act *created by President Cleveland*  established the U.S. Civil Service Commission, which placed most federal employees on the merit system and marked the end of the so-called “spoils system.“ Spoils system refers to getting a job based on who you knew rather than whether or not you deserved it.

12. Harrison’s response to Cleveland’s reforms…  Returned to political patronage. Harrison believed that giving jobs because of connections was OKAY!

13. Section 8.3 The Populist Movement; 259-265 Farmers life changed dramatically when urbanization/industrialization occurred. 1.More people=more demand for food. 2.Farmers needed to increase their equipment/land/plantings to keep up with demand. 3.Prices for food lowered because supply increased dramatically.

14. Farmers Organized! The first major organization was the National Grange (1867). They tackled economic and political issues.  Main focus: forcing states to regulate RR freight and gain storage rates.  Interstate Commerce Act of 1887: regulated prices on RR freight. Other organized unions followed: Farmers Alliance, etc.

15. Why did they organize and what did the unions organize for? Economic hardships for farmers  Heavy debts.  High freight and machinery costs.  Falling crop prices. Farmers’ movement  Hoped to pressure states to regulate freight and grain-storage rates.  Formed cooperatives (to buy equipment).  Offered low-cost insurance.  Lobbied for graduated income tax.  Weakened by government limits on the ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission)  Weakened by racial segregation – Alliance split.

16. Money Backed by Silver  Farmers supported money backed by silver because they wanted to increase the paper money supply. As long as gold was allowed to back paper, the money supply was restricted by how much gold the treasury had. The more money in circulation; farmers hoped would increase prices to make money!

17. Populist Party Movement  Graduated income tax.  Bank regulation.  Government ownership of railroad and telegraph companies so prices could not be raised.  Free coinage of supply.  Immigration restrictions (do they don’t take jobs!).  Shorter work day.  Voting reforms.

18. The Effects of Silver  Silver was a central issue in the 1896 presidential campaign.  Populists supported Bryan because of his stand of silver.  William McKinley won the election with the support of business leaders who oppose free silver Results of McKinley’s win: The populist party faded into the background but was not gone (still had its effects on society; example: graduated income tax).