Ch. 16 Sect. 1
Politics In The Gilded Age
Objectives:
1.  Explain how business influenced politics during the
Gilded Age
2.  Describe the government efforts to reform the spoils
system and regulate the railroad.
3.  Explain how the cycle of depression and prosperity hurt
the Democrats and helped the Republicans in the 1890s.
Main Idea:
From 1877 to 1900, national politics were dominated by
issues of corruption and reform.
The Business of Politics
  The Gilded Age was coined by writer Mark Twain.
Meaning that the U.S. had a thin layer of glitter (wealth and
prosperity) covering the poverty and corruption effecting
most of society.
  The U.S. government practiced laissez-faire economics.
The government took a hands off approach to the economy.
They let businesses run the economy.
  The Gilded Age was known for widespread government
corruption. Businesses bribed government leaders for
favors. Politicians hired friends to government jobs called
the spoils or patronage system
Monopolies influence
national government
The Spoils (Patronage) System
  Presidents Hayes and Garfield opposed the spoils system and
refused to use it.
  Garfield will be shot by a supporter of the spoils system and
will suffer for three months before dying.
  Vice President Arthur became president and had supported the
spoils system in New York. But after Garfield’s assassination
he urged Congress to pass a law to end the spoils system.
  The Pendleton Civil Service Act became law in 1883 ending
the spoils system. Government jobs were classified and tested
applicants’ for those positions. Government workers could not
be forced to make campaign donations and could not be fired
for political reasons.
My Piece of Cake
Regulating Railroads
  Railroads were charging different rates to
different people for the same service.
  They charged more for a short haul compared to
a long haul on the same track.
  Congress passed the Interstate Commerce Act in
1887 to stop railroad abuse.
  Rates were determined by distance travelled
and became public knowledge.
Gilded Age Cartoon
Eliminating Monopolies
  In 1890, the Sherman Antitrust Act was
passed and signed by President Harrison.
  The law made monopolies illegal, but will
not be fully enforced and will be fought by
monopolies through the court system.
  The Supreme Court will uphold the law and
will finally make monopolies illegal in the
early 1900s.
Mark Twain
1835 - 1910