Download - Politics in the Gilded Age

Transcript
Page 1: Politics in the Gilded Age

Politics in the Gilded Age

Page 2: Politics in the Gilded Age

Focus QuestionIs there any difference between

the Political Parties today?

Page 3: Politics in the Gilded Age

Political MachinesCities and some states

dominated by Political machinesOrganized groups which

controlled local partiesControlled all aspects of

local government.

Page 4: Politics in the Gilded Age

Built on a Strict HierarchyBoss

◦Controlled patronage◦Controlled funds◦Determined candidates

Underboss◦Controlled local wards◦Assisted and advised the Boss

Page 5: Politics in the Gilded Age

Precinct Captains◦Doled out patronage◦Identified up and coming party

membersParty loyalists

◦Got out the vote◦Prevented the other party from

getting out the vote

Page 6: Politics in the Gilded Age

Central Role of the VoteThe Vote was the currency of the

machineIf you controlled the vote, you

controlled:◦Jobs◦Money◦Contracts◦Power

Page 7: Politics in the Gilded Age
Page 8: Politics in the Gilded Age

Inherently CorruptRan up government expensesPromoted

inefficiencyProvided for

shoddy work

Page 9: Politics in the Gilded Age

Rise in Political CorruptionHolding power more important

than convictionsParties were similar in outlook

◦Both were pro-business◦Both had strong radical wings◦The major difference was white supremacy

Page 10: Politics in the Gilded Age

The National LevelBoth parties built patronage armiesJobs were dependent on political

support◦All votes were public record◦Centered on the Customs and Post

OfficesSparked a need for Civil Service

Reform◦Divided the GOP between Stalwarts

and Half-Breeds

Page 11: Politics in the Gilded Age

Assassination of the President James Garfield was shot by a

deranged office-seeker in 1881Pushed the Stalwart Arthur into

office

Page 12: Politics in the Gilded Age

The Pendleton Act of 1883Provided for Civil Service ReformCreated rules for federal

employment◦Competitive examinations◦Review over dismissals

Stamped out the worst abuses

Page 13: Politics in the Gilded Age

The Gospel of WealthSome grew uncomfortable with the

situationAndrew Carnegie promoted the Gospel

of Wealth◦Riches were justified if the wealthy

used his wealth for the community

“The Man Who Dies Rich Dies Disgraced.”

Page 14: Politics in the Gilded Age

Reforms proposedMany saw the government as a tool to

prevent monopoliesSherman Antitrust Act

◦Forbade “combinations in restraint of trade”

◦Did not define trusts◦Rarely used against any monopoly.◦Ineffective