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graft = illegal use of political influence for personal gain; bribery and other corrupt practices;

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end at 8:11

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Gilded Age Politics:Crash Course US History #26

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- in 1888, he took the majority of electoral votes and presidency
- member of the Republican Party
- financed by companies that wanted even higher tariffs
- signed the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890, which raised tariffs on manufactured goods

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- first elected in 1884; ran for reelection in 1888; elected again in 1892
- member of the Democratic Party
- Tried to lower tariff rates, but Congress refused to support him.
- Supported a bill for lowering the McKinley Tariff, but refused to sign it because it also provided a federal income tax.
- The Wilson-Gorman Tariff became a law without the president’s signature.

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- turned reformer once president

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Garfield assassinated by a Stalwart in July 1881

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- gave reformers most patronage jobs

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President James A. Garfield - Ohio congressman; tied to reformers
Vice-President Chester A. Arthur - Stalwart

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- Hayes doesn't run for reelection
- neither reformers nor Stalwarts could win a majority of delegates
- independent presidential candidate wins

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1. Reformers
2. Stalwarts - supported patronage

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- public administration becoming more honest and efficient
- politicians turning to other sources for donations

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- authorized a bipartisan civil service commission
- appointments to federal jobs made through a merit system based on candidates' performance on an examination

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To what extent did the politics in the Gilded Age affect America's reputation as the land of opportunity?

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To what extent did the politics in the Gilded Age affect America's reputation as the land of opportunity?

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- Since most of the bosses were first or second generation of immigrants, they were able to speak to new immigrants in their own language.
- They helped them with jobs, neutralisation, and housing.
- In return, the immigrants provided votes for the bosses.

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- Republican president Rutherford B. Hayes (1877 - 1881)
- not supported by Congress
- named independents to his cabinet
- set up a commission investigating customhouses (known centers of patronage) - fired 2 of the top officers of the NYC customhouse, where jobs were controlled by the Republican Party

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- Served as the mayor of the city whether or not they were officially appointed.
-Had access to jobs, business licenses, and influenced the courts.
- Some bosses built parks, waterworks, and gave money to schools.
- Some bosses also provided government support for new businesses.

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- Election of 1884 - Democratic Party wins for the first time in 28 years with candidate Grover Cleveland.
- Cleveland runs for reelection in 1888 against former Indiana senator Benjamin Harrison.

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should go to the most qualified people

no matter their political views or who recommended them

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With employees no longer a source of campaign contributions, politicians turned to wealthy business owners. Therefore, the alliance between government and big business became stronger than ever.

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Tweed was charged in corruption and went to jail for 1 year. After leaving jail, he was quickly arrested for another charge. While serving a second sentence, Tweed escaped. He was captured in jail because officials identified him from a Thomas Nast cartoon.

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the elimination of patronage

adoption of a merit system of hiring

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- An organised group that controlled the activities of a political party cities such as Baltimore, New York and San Francisco.
- It offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for political or financial support.
- It was organised as a pyramid. At the base were local precinct workers and captains who reported to their ward boss.
- The ward boss helped the poor and gained their votes by doing favours and providing services.
- At the top of the pyramid was the city boss, who controlled the activities of the political party throughout the city.

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unqualified employees

owing their jobs to political connections

using their jobs for personal gain

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When the loyalty of voters was not enough to carry an election, some political machines turned to fraud. Using fake names, party faithfuls cast as many votes as were needed to win.

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One scheme, the construction of the New York Country Courthouse, involved extravagant graft. The project cost taxpayers $13 millions, while the actual construction cost was $3 millions. The difference went to Tweed’s wallet.

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= giving of government jobs to people who had helped a candidate get elected
= Andrew Jackson's Spoils System

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In the late 19th century, cities suffered under inefficient government. As a result, cities were influenced by dog-eat-dog Social Darwinism. This then made it easier for the political machine to influence the cities.

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Head of Tammany Hall

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While the well-oiled political machines provided city dwellers with services, many political bosses fell victim to corruption as their influence grew.

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- desire for money and power made national politics corrupt