1. Gilded Age Issues
Chapter 7

2. Section Focus
How were civil rights of certain groups undermined after Reconstruction?
Obj: Assess how whites created a segregated society in the South and how African- Americans responded
Obj: Analyze efforts to limit immigration and its effects
Obj: Compare the situations of Mexican- Americans and women to other groups

3. African-Americans Lose Freedoms

4. African Americans Oppose Injustices1. 2. 3.

5. Minorities Face Discrimination and Struggles

6. Women’s Gains and Setbacks

7. Political and Economic challenges
Section Focus: Why did the political structure change during the Gilded Age?
Political inaction and corruption during the Gilded Age
Obj: Analyze the issue of corruption in national politics in the 1870’s and 1880’s
Obj: Discuss civil service reform during the 1870’s and 1880’s
Obj: Asses the importance of economic issues in the politics of Gilded Age

8. Political Stalemate
No faction or group gained power for long (control White House and both houses of Congress)
Difficult to pass new laws
Weak presidents
Hayes – Won b/c of agreement b/w parties
Garfield – Assassinated
Arthur – Upset own party
Cleveland – Honest, won 2 non-consecutive terms
Harrison – Won electoral vote, but not popular

9. Corruption Bribes were very common in govt.
Spoils System leads to formation of political machines that worked to keep a party in power and reward supporters with jobs
Civil Service reform seeks to end the corruption in govt.
Pendleton Civil Service Act leads to creation of Civil Service Commission to ensure qualified job holders.

10. Economic Challenges Tariff issues divides Rep. and Dem.
Rep. favor high tariff to help American industry and business
Dem. favor low tariff to keep prices down for consumers and help farmers sell products
Monetary Policy also divisive
Debate over Gold Standard v. Bimetallic Standard
Govt. stopped minting silver coins with the “Crime of 1873”
Some wanted silver minted and used as $
Bankers supported gold standard and feared minting silver would undermine economy
Farmers supported bimetallic standard and silver minting  inflation and higher crop prices

11. Farmers and Populism
Section Focus: What led to the rise of Populism and what effect did it have?
Obj: Analyze the problems farmers faced and the groups they formed to address them
Obj: Assess the goals of the Populist Party and why it did not last

12. Farmers’ Struggles Low Prices High Costs High Debt High RR Rates
High Interest Rates
Govt. Ignores Them

13. Farmers’ REsponse The Grange
ICC created to oversee interstate transport
Farmers’ Alliances
Cooperatives – costs down, prices up

14. Populist Party Worries Platform Successes Political corruption
Inadequate money supply
Unresponsive govt.
Platform
Coinage of silver
Govt. regulation of RR
Successes
Elected some governors and congressmen
Gained popularity
Other parties endorse their ideas

15. Election of 1896 William Jennings Bryan - D William McKinley - R
Great speaker – “Cross of Gold” speech
“Free silver” – bimetallic standard
Supported by Populists
Represents common people
William McKinley - R
Had others campaign
Gold standard
Raised millions of $
Wins

16. Populists Legacy Didn’t appeal to urban workers
No support outside South and West
Eventually disappears
Many proposed reforms become reality
Brought people together
Influences Progressivism