Gilded Age Politics and Reforms

Overview

This lecture explores the political landscape of the Gilded Age, focusing on corruption, reform efforts, and the emergence of new political movements like the Populists.

The Gilded Age and Political Corruption

• The Gilded Age, named after a satirical novel by Twain and Warner, reflects a negative view of U.S. democracy in the late 1800s.
• Politics at both local and national levels became highly corrupt in response to rapid economic changes after the Civil War.
• Urban political machines, like New York City's Tammany Hall, dominated city politics through patronage and corruption.
• William "Boss" Tweed led Tammany Hall, inflating public project costs for personal and organizational profit.
• Machines provided services to immigrants and the poor in exchange for votes and political loyalty.
• Voter fraud and intimidation were common tactics to maintain machine power.

National Political Scandals and Trends

• Major scandals included Credit Mobilier (railroad kickbacks and Congressional bribery) and the Whiskey Ring (tax evasion with government collusion).
• These scandals damaged the reputation of Congress and President Ulysses Grant's administration.
• The era saw a sequence of weak, one-term presidents and a dysfunctional Congress.
• Republicans supported high tariffs, low spending, and “hard money”; Democrats opposed tariffs and favored financiers.
• Both parties were pro-business but served different interests.

Reform Legislation and State Initiatives

• The Civil Service Act (1883) established merit-based federal employment for 10% of government jobs.
• The Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890) targeted monopolies but was mostly enforced against labor unions.
• States expanded public health, welfare, education, and infrastructure; some passed 8-hour workday laws (often struck down by courts).
• The South enacted Jim Crow Laws, limiting African American rights post-Reconstruction.

Agrarian Political Movements and the Populists

• Farmers formed the Grange and Farmers' Alliance to push for fair railroad rates and economic reforms.
• The subtreasury plan proposed government loans to farmers using stored grain as collateral.
• Farmers and their allies formed the Populist (People’s) Party, advocating reforms like income tax, government control of currency, and labor rights.
• The Populist platform sought to unite “producing classes” but struggled due to regional and racial divisions.
• William Jennings Bryan ran as a pro-free silver Democrat in 1896 but lost, ending Populist momentum.

Legacy and Influence

• Muckraker journalists began exposing corruption in government.
• Populist ideas like direct election of senators and progressive income tax were later adopted nationally.
• Many systemic issues and Jim Crow laws remained unresolved into the Progressive Era.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Gilded Age — late 19th-century era marked by rapid economic growth and widespread political corruption.
• Political Machine — organization that controls political appointments and delivers services in exchange for votes.
• Tammany Hall — the dominant New York City Democratic political machine of the era.
• Credit Mobilier — railroad construction scandal involving bribery of Congressmen.
• Civil Service Act — law founding merit-based hiring for federal jobs.
• Sherman Anti-Trust Act — first federal law to restrict monopolistic practices.
• Grange — farmers’ organization seeking economic reforms.
• Populist Party — third party advocating for farmers, laborers, and reform policies.
• Jim Crow Laws — Southern laws enforcing racial segregation post-Reconstruction.
• Muckrakers — journalists who exposed corruption and social issues.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review the Populist Party platform and its lasting reforms.
• Prepare for next lecture on the Progressive Era and the continuation of reform movements.