1. Corruption Chapter 10: Gilded Age (1865 – 1900)
Section 1 Obj: Explain what the Gilded Age was and how corruption played a part
Corruption

2. Gilded Age Time period nicknamed by Mark Twain
Era of corruption
Scandal plagued politics
However, rules of modern politics and business practice were just beginning to be written
It was a time period when government began to take steps in reducing business
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
Interstate Commerce
Government shies away from laissez-faire

3. Political Machines American government began to decline
Politicians began to enrich themselves through bribery and other forms of corruption
Most outrageous examples occur in city government
Political machines were created to maintain political power
They did this by controlling the votes, the courts and the police

4. Most famous machine was located in New York
Ran by William “Boss” Tweed

5. Widespread Corruption
Corruption occurred at all levels of government
Local, state and national
Big businesses were spending large sums of money (campaign contributions) to influence legislators
Under Grant’s administrations several cabinet members accepted bribes from trusts
To overlook suspicious business activities

6. Political Parties Republicans controlled government after Civil War
Received support from:
Western farmers – benefited from free land
Eastern merchants – benefited from high tariffs
Tended to be the “old immigrants”
Democrats lost control of government after Civil War
Support centered in the south
Also received support from the “new immigrants”
Factory workers
Poor city dwellers
Democratic motto was represent the common man