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Politics of The Gilded Age

Politics of The Gilded Age. Spoils System. AKA - patronage Government jobs go to supporters of the winning party Many Americans came to believe that this made government inefficient and corrupt. Spoils System. Rutherford B. Hayes - becomes president in 1877

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Politics of The Gilded Age

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  1. Politics of The Gilded Age

  2. Spoils System • AKA - patronage • Government jobs go to supporters of the winning party • Many Americans came to believe that this made government inefficient and corrupt

  3. Spoils System • Rutherford B. Hayes - becomes president in 1877 • Tries to end patronage by firing supporters • He splits the Republican Party • “Stalwarts” – liked the Spoils System (patronage) • “Halfbreeds” – wanted to reform the system

  4. Assassination of Garfield • 1880 Republican candidate James Garfield wins election • Charles Guiteau wants a government job • Thinks that if he kills President Garfield (a halfbreed), VP Chester Arthur (a stalwart) will give him one • Shoots Garfield in a train station

  5. The Pendleton Act • Passed in 1883 • Some government jobs to be filled through examination instead of appointment (patronage) • Called the “Merit System” • Beginning of professional civil service

  6. Republicans “party of morality” Supported by Big business Farmers on the Great Plains Patriotic Americans 1877-1896, edge in Senate Democrats “party of personal choice” Strong in the South Supported in cities by Catholics Immigrants 1877-1896, edge in the House of Representatives Ca

  7. Close Elections • Presidential elections between 1876 and 1896 were very close • In 1876 and 1888, the candidate that won the Electoral College didn’t get the most popular votes • Republicans win 4 of these 6 elections Election 0f 1876 Election of 1888

  8. Democrats win the Presidency • Election of 1884 • Dem. Grover Cleveland – governor of NYC • Rep. James Blaine –former Speaker of the House • Blaine part of the Credit Mobilier Scandal – took bribes • Some Rep. reformers switch to support Cleveland • Known as “Mugwumps” • Cleveland fathered a child out of wedlock • Told truth & kept support, gained a reputation for honesty “Ma, Ma, Where’s my Pa?”

  9. Lots of Problems • Cleveland had to deal with several major issues • Patronage jobs vs. civil service jobs – chose middle ground & angered both sides • Strikes and protests • Railroad rebates – only for large corporations • Wabash v. Illinois (1886) – only the federal government could regulate interstate commerce • Interstate Commerce Act (1887) – created the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to regulate commerce Grover Cleveland

  10. Election of 1888 • Tariffs a major issue • Rep. Benjamin Harrison • Funded by corporations who wanted high tariffs • Dem. Grover Cleveland • Wants to lower tariffs • Harrison lost the popular vote but won in Electoral College • Rep. won in House and Senate also

  11. McKinley Tariff • Passed in 1890 • Cut tobacco taxes and tariff rates on raw sugar • Greatly increased rates on other goods • Intended to protect American industry • Triggered a steep rise in price of all goods • Lowered federal revenue • Led to deficit

  12. Sherman Antitrust Act • Passed in 1890 • Made it illegal for companies to form trusts that would restrict free trade (have an unfair advantage) • Vaguely worded, not enforced by courts

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