Bell Ringer

Explain what the Dawes Act and the Homestead Act did.

Discussion Questions1) Explain Social Darwinism and laissez-faire

economics, and how they fit together.

2) Explain why people like Rockefeller and Carnegie formed trusts.

3) Put the following into one paragraph: collective bargaining, tenements, I.W.W., A.F.L., Robber Barons

Unit 6#6

Politics in the late 1800’sCities had grown at a very

fast rate. Local governments could not

keep up with the increased demands of the growing

cities.

In a time period known for Social Darwinism, cities were receptive to a new

power structure and new politician.

The Political MachineDefinition: organized group that controlled the activities of the political party in a city; offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for political or financial support

Precinct Captain

Ward Boss

CityBoss

A Political Boss may or may not be the actual mayor of the city, but

certainly controlled the city and its government jobs

This type of system helped

immigrants naturalize, find

jobs and housing in exchange for

their votes

Bell Ringer1) What were the 2 reasons the Louisiana

Purchase was so important?

2) What was the impact of Marbury v. Madison?

3) What are the 2 ways the US Constitution can be changed to allow it to function as our plan for government still?

Graft and ScandalThe Political Machine fell victim to corruption. When votes weren’t enough, some used

fake names and had people vote numerous times in order to win elections.

Graft- illegal use of political influence for personal gains

Kickback- illegal payment for services

The Tweed Ring ScandalBoss Tweed, head of Tammany Hall (NYC’s Democratic Political Machine), Defrauded NYC by charging $13 Million for a project that cost $3 Million. Eventually cause and served 12 years in prison.

Patronage & ReformGiving government jobs to people who helped the candidate get elected. Often times, people were not

qualified for the jobs. Many people wanted civil service exams to be offered so that jobs would go to the most qualified person.

Rutherford B. Hayes tried to reform patronage but could not get it by congress, used alternative means by giving independents jobs in cabinet and investigating patronage claims made the

“Stalwarts” angry (a supporter of political boss Roscoe Conkling)

Patronage & ReformJames Garfield is elected in 1880, and again gave patronage jobs to independents (which angered

stalwarts again)

Garfield (20th President) was assassinated by a stalwart in hopes his replacement Chester A. Arthur would give stalwarts the patronage jobs. Arthur did the opposite by urging congress to pass the

first civil service law

Pendleton Civil Service Act 1883Based federal job appointments on a standardized test score.

This was supported by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress!

Impact of Civil Service ActPoliticians looked to Big Business for campaign money

(now that they were no longer getting money from individuals as part of the patronage system)

Big Business wanted high tariffs to promote their own goods, while Democrats wanted low tariffs to promote low prices in the market.

1884 = Grover Cleveland – tried to lower tariffs1888 = Ben Harrison – raised tariffs (campaign funded by big business)

1892 = Cleveland elected again – lowered tariffs1896 = William McKinley – raised tariffs