Political Issues of the Gilded Age

Political Machines Political Machines Organized group that controlled a political party in a city Organized group that controlled a political party in a city Provided political favors in exchange for support Provided political favors in exchange for support Promise of jobs and other help was very appealing to immigrants Promise of jobs and other help was very appealing to immigrants

Voter Fraud Voter Fraud Graft Graft Kickbacks Kickbacks

One Man One Vote? One Man One Vote?

Tammany Hall New York City New York City “Boss” Tweed “Boss” Tweed

Politics in the “Gilded Age” Enormous wealth, political corruption, widespread poverty Politics in the “Gilded Age” Enormous wealth, political corruption, widespread poverty Reformers (mugwumps, halfbreeds) wanted: Reformers (mugwumps, halfbreeds) wanted: –Merit system for government jobs –End of patronage –Australian ballot “Stalwarts” wanted: “Stalwarts” wanted: –Spoils system to continue

1880 James Garfield (R) is elected President Reformer Reformer V.P. is Chester A. Arthur V.P. is Chester A. Arthur 1881 – Garfield is assassinated by the “stalwart of the stalwarts” 1881 – Garfield is assassinated by the “stalwart of the stalwarts” Arthur becomes President Arthur becomes President

1883 – Pendleton Act Most govt. jobs earned on merit by passing an exam Most govt. jobs earned on merit by passing an exam How would politicians now get funds that they used to get from public employees? How would politicians now get funds that they used to get from public employees?

“Assassination can be no more guarded against than death by lightning” - Garfield

Elections of ’84, ’88, ‘92 ’84 – Cleveland (D) defeats Blaine (R) ’84 – Cleveland (D) defeats Blaine (R) ’88 – Harrison (R) defeats Cleveland ’88 – Harrison (R) defeats Cleveland ’92 – Cleveland defeats Harrison ’92 – Cleveland defeats Harrison

Issues of the Gilded Age Issues of the Gilded Age

16-1 Segregation and Social Tensions

Loss of African – American Voting Rights Poll Tax Poll Tax Literacy Tests Literacy Tests Grandfather Clause Grandfather Clause

Jim Crow Laws

Plessy vs. Ferguson

Booker T. Washington Live with segregation Live with segregation Tuskegee Institute Tuskegee Institute –Vocations

W.E.B. Du Bois End segregation NOW End segregation NOW Access to education Access to education

Ida Wells Anti-lynching editorials Anti-lynching editorials

Chinese Exclusion Act Prevented Chinese laborers from entering U.S. Prevented Chinese laborers from entering U.S.

Mexican Americans Many lost land following Treaty of Guadalupe - Hidalgo Many lost land following Treaty of Guadalupe - Hidalgo

Women Denied the right to vote despite the 14 th and 15 th Amendments Denied the right to vote despite the 14 th and 15 th Amendments

Farmers and the Populist Movement

Enemies of the farmer: Mother Nature Mother Nature –drought The Banks The Banks –High interest on their debts The Railroads The Railroads –High prices to ship their products

Farmers Unite! The Grange The Grange Farmer’s Alliances Farmer’s Alliances “Strength in numbers” “Strength in numbers” Voting bloc Voting bloc

Farmers see a solution – “cheap money” Increased currency would make it easier to repay their debts - inflation Increased currency would make it easier to repay their debts - inflation

Gold Standard vs. Free Silver Farmers wanted our currency to be shifted from the gold standard to bimetallism – a combination of gold and silver Farmers wanted our currency to be shifted from the gold standard to bimetallism – a combination of gold and silver

The Populist Party Created in 1892 Created in 1892 Goals: Goals: –cheap money –graduated income tax –direct election of senators –8 hour workday –limit immigration

William Jennings Bryan “Cross of Gold” speech “Cross of Gold” speech Nominated by Populists for President in 1896 Nominated by Populists for President in 1896 Also ran in 1900, 1908 Also ran in 1900, 1908

Legacy of Populism Common people can wield political power Common people can wield political power Many reforms enacted by Democratic party in the 20 th century Many reforms enacted by Democratic party in the 20 th century