U.S. History I

Topic 10.3

“Corruption Plagues the Nation”

2.5, 9.1, 9.3, 9.4

Balance of Power Creates Stalemate

• U.S. Grant- Surrounded by Scandals• 1877-1897: Presidents win by narrow margins and

presidents are weak or corrupt.

– Benjamin Harrison: Second President to lose Popular vote but win Electoral College

– Chester Arthur: Took over after James Garfield was assassinated: Disliked by OWN Republican Party

– *Grover Cleveland: Known for his Integrity: 1884 Won: 1888 Lost to Harrison (Electoral College) 1892: Won again (Only one counted TWICE)

• Corruption Plagues National Politics• Joseph Keppler: Political Cartoonist: “The Bosses of the

Senate” Next Slide• Patronage: government jobs go to the supporters

of the winning party in an election. “Spoils System”

– The Pendleton Act: Allowed the president to decide which federal jobs would be filled according to the rules of the Civil Service Commission: All had to take exam to qualify for job.• Under Pres. Arthur, 14,000 jobs were placed under

this program

• Economic Policy Challenges Continue– Tariff: Tax on Imports– Republicans: Wanted

High Tariffs– Democrats: Wanted

Low Tariffs

• Silver or Gold• Fiat Money

Greenbacks retired after Civil War

• Goldbugs: Wanted all coins made of gold

• Silverites: Wanted all coins made of silver

Political Cartoons Alert the Public

• Political Machines- Corrupt party power structures that dominated cities

• Thomas Nast: Artist who went on a campaign to expose corrupt “Political Machines”

• William “Boss” Tweed: Was exposed by Nast through the use of political cartoons