Political Corruption and Big Business

The Gilded Age

The age of great wealth following Civil War The age of great wealth following Civil War 4,000 millionaires following C.W. 4,000 millionaires following C.W. Monopolies/consolidation Monopolies/consolidation What was the Gilded Age?

Gilded: Deceptively attractive

 Political Machines- well-organized political parties that ran the city governments.  Fire  Police  Sanitation

 Political bosses Politicians who controlled political machines. They provided essential services to the poor and working class They provided essential services to the poor and working class They were heavily supported by urban immigrants who needed them They were heavily supported by urban immigrants who needed them

Graft: illegal use of political position for personal gain. Graft: illegal use of political position for personal gain.  Fraud –stole from the city Patronage: Giving money to a candidate in exchange for favors. Patronage: Giving money to a candidate in exchange for favors. Spoil System: Putting friends in key political positions Spoil System: Putting friends in key political positions How did Political Machines and City bosses get rich?

The machines helped immigrants  Become citizens  Find jobs jobs  Find places to live

 Most immigrants lived in Tenement houses  Poorly built apartments

Political Scandals Election fraud was common Election fraud was common Politicians often received kickbacks Politicians often received kickbacks (bribes and payoffs)

Scandals surrounded President Grant  Railroad stockholders sold stocks to congressmen  Congressmen gave government money to railroad companies  Railroads made money So congressmen made money

The government was pressured by big businesses The government was pressured by big businesses  Monopolies a.k.a. “Trusts” Trusts (I.e. Standard Oil)

Political Machines Organized group that controlled the activities of a political party in a city Organized group that controlled the activities of a political party in a city Offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for political or financial support Offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for political or financial support

Tammany Hall New York City’s most powerful political machine New York City’s most powerful political machine Led by “Boss Tweed” (William Tweed) Led by “Boss Tweed” (William Tweed) In 1870 and 1871 ALONE, Tammany Hall stole anywhere from $400 million to $2 billion!!!

Tweed was arrested in 1871 He died in Jail in 1878 James Pendergast Very popular Political Boss in Kansas City, Missouri Gained power by helping African, Irish, and Italian immigrants

Pendleton Civil Service Act 1883 Pendleton Civil Service Act 1883 Government jobs based on merit system rather than patronage Government jobs based on merit system rather than patronage Federal exams Federal exams How did the Federal Government Respond?

How the corruption ended… Stalwarts didn’t want things to change The Stalwarts vs. The Half-Breeds Half-Breeds wanted reform

In 1880, James A. Garfield was elected president In 1880, James A. Garfield was elected president Garfield was a member of the Half- Breeds After 4 months in office, Garfield was shot by a Stalwart supporter

After the assassination, vice president Chester A. Arthur became president After the assassination, vice president Chester A. Arthur became president He led reforms in honor of President Garfield He led reforms in honor of President Garfield

*Interstate Commerce Act 1887 (ICC) *Regulate railroads (largely ineffective) Sherman Antitrust Act 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act 1890 Prevent the consolidation of big business in the hands of a few (largely ineffective) Prevent the consolidation of big business in the hands of a few (largely ineffective) How did the Federal Government try to regulate big business and monopolies?

American Federation of Labor American Federation of Labor (skilled workers of many trades) Industrial Workers of the World Industrial Workers of the World (all laborers- socialists) (all laborers- socialists) Collective Bargain Collective Bargain Strikes Strikes How did the workers try to fight against big business and corruption?