Name:____________________________________________________________ Date:_____________ Class:_______
The Gilded Age: 1870s-1890s: Part 2
The Patronage Problem
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This is also called the “Spoils System.”
The idea was that, if you won election, you should get to hire people for city jobs regardless of their qualifications.
Patronage vs. Civil Service
- Many argued the Patronage system was corrupt. The boss could hire unqualified people merely for supporting
his candidacy.
- These people argued that only qualified citizens should service in city positions.
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President Hayes and Patronage
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Hayes fired those who practiced patronage to attempt to get qualified people in positions of power.
Some politicians were Stalwarts who supported the Spoils System. Other politicians became Reformers who
supported Civil Service.
Republicans, Patronage, and Civil Service
In the election of 1880, Hayes did not run again.
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James A. Garfield was nominated as the Republican Presidential candidate and was a Reformer. Chester
Arthur was nominated as the vice president and was a Stalwart.
Garfield’s Assassination
- On 7/2/1881, Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau, who was angry that the Patronage system did not
allow him to get a job in Garfield’s administration.
- Garfield died on 9/19/1881. After this event, Arthur altered his beliefs on the issue, became Reformer, and
supported the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883.
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Battling Over Tariffs
- Some argued tariffs helped big businesses, but hurt the common consumer. They argued more competition
would decrease market prices and make things cheaper.
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In 1888, many big businesses wanted to increase tariffs and supported the candidacy of Benjamin Harrison, a
Republican, who won the presidency and supported higher tariffs.
The Issue Over Tariffs Continues
- In 1892, Grover Cleveland was elected again! He was the first President to serve two terms that were not back
to back.
- Though reelected, Cleveland was unable to maintain a significant reduction toward tariffs.
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Democrats vs. Republicans
- The major economic issue of the late 1800s was this: should the USA use tariffs to help local businesses keep
their prices high or invite foreign trade to keep prices low for consumers?
- Many Democrats argued against tariffs to help keep prices low for consumers.
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All Rights Reserved.
Name:____________________________________________________________ Date:_____________ Class:_______
FULL NOTES:
The Gilded Age: 1870s-1890s: Part 2
The Patronage Problem
- Patronage is the giving of government jobs to those who helped the elected leader get in office.
- This is also called the “Spoils System.”
- The idea was that, if you won election, you should get to hire people for city jobs regardless of their qualifications.
Patronage vs. Civil Service
- Many argued the Patronage system was corrupt. The boss could hire unqualified people merely for supporting
his candidacy.
- These people argued that only qualified citizens should service in city positions.
- This idea that one had to be qualified for a job was called “Civil Service.”
President Hayes and Patronage
- Rutherford B. Hayes, elected president in 1876, attempted to reform the patronage system.
- Hayes fired those who practiced patronage to attempt to get qualified people in positions of power.
- Some politicians were Stalwarts who supported the Spoils System. Other politicians became Reformers who
supported Civil Service.
Republicans, Patronage, and Civil Service
In the election of 1880, Hayes did not run again.
- The Republicans knew the nation was becoming divided over Patronage so they attempted to run two men on
each side of the issue to avoid controversy.
- James A. Garfield was nominated as the Republican Presidential candidate and was a Reformer. Chester
Arthur was nominated as the vice president and was a Stalwart.
Garfield’s Assassination
- On 7/2/1881, Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau, who was angry that the Patronage system did not
allow him to get a job in Garfield’s administration.
- Garfield died on 9/19/1881. After this event, Arthur altered his beliefs on the issue, became Reformer, and
supported the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883.
- This act established a merit system for civil jobs; which meant one had to deserve a government job based on
credentials to be hired.
Battling Over Tariffs
- Some argued tariffs helped big businesses, but hurt the common consumer. They argued more competition
would decrease market prices and make things cheaper.
- In 1884, the first Democrat in 28 years, Grover Cleveland won the presidency. His goal was lower tariffs to
make prices cheaper for consumers.
- In 1888, many big businesses wanted to increase tariffs and supported the candidacy of Benjamin Harrison, a
Republican, who won the presidency and supported higher tariffs.
The Issue Over Tariffs Continues
- In 1892, Grover Cleveland was elected again! He was the first President to serve two terms that were not back
to back.
- Though reelected, Cleveland was unable to maintain a significant reduction toward tariffs.
- In 1896, William McKinley, a Republican, was elected President and supported raising tariffs again.
Democrats vs. Republicans
- The major economic issue of the late 1800s was this: should the USA use tariffs to help local businesses keep
their prices high or invite foreign trade to keep prices low for consumers?
- Many Democrats argued against tariffs to help keep prices low for consumers.
- Yet, many Republicans argued for high tariffs to protect American businesses. These opposing viewpoints
dominated the political and economic debates of the era.
Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com
All Rights Reserved.