Heimler's History: Politics in the Gilded Age

Introduction

• Final video of Unit 6 in AP U.S. History
• Focus on politics in the Gilded Age
• Politics characterized by corruption

Major Political Parties

• Democrats
  • Mainly Southerners
  • Advocated for states' rights and racial segregation
  • Supported by big city political machines and immigrants
• Republicans
  • Northern, industrial party
  • Supported by black people, middle-class businessmen, and Protestants
• Both parties lacked a strong legislative agenda, focused on winning elections and patronage

Key Political Issues

• Civil Service
  • Patronage system: awarding federal jobs to party supporters
  • Assassination of President James Garfield highlighted its flaws
  • Pendleton Act of 1881: introduced competitive exams for federal jobs
• Money Supply
  • Gold standard: currency backed by gold to prevent inflation
  • Farmers/entrepreneurs wanted expanded money supply, including silver
• Tariffs
  • Taxes on imports, major revenue source for the federal government
  • Protective tariffs favored American industry but burdened consumers and farmers

Emergence of the Populist Party

• Focused on correcting economic power concentration
• Omaha Platform
  • Direct election of senators
  • Initiatives and referendums
  • Economic reforms: unlimited silver coinage, graduated income tax, eight-hour workday
• Influenced major parties (Democrats adopted some policies by 1896)

Urban Politics and Political Machines

• Dominated by corrupt political machines
• Tammany Hall in NYC led by Boss Tweed
  • Organized community needs but demanded votes in return
  • Engaged in fraud and deceit, yet had a mutually beneficial relationship with patrons

Conclusion

• Overview of the complex and corrupt political climate of the Gilded Age
• Encourages subscription for more history content