Gilded Age Politics and Reforms

Overview

This lecture explores the political landscape of the Gilded Age, focusing on corruption, reform efforts, and the rise of populist movements in the United States.

The Gilded Age and Political Machines

• The Gilded Age (named after an 1873 novel) was marked by ostentatious wealth and political corruption.
• Urban political machines were organizations that gained power by controlling votes and city contracts, often through corrupt means.
• Tammany Hall in New York City was the most famous political machine, associated with figures like George Plunkitt and Boss Tweed.
• Political machines provided services to immigrants and the poor in exchange for votes, securing jobs and aid rapidly.
• Machines maintained power using fraud (multiple voting) and sometimes violence.

Government Corruption and Scandals

• Corruption was widespread at all government levels, not just in cities.
• Major scandals included the Crédit Mobilier (railroad overcharging and Congressional bribery) and the Whiskey Ring (tax evasion by distillers with government help).
• These scandals tainted Congress and the presidency, leading to public distrust.

Political Parties and Reform Legislation

• Gilded Age Republicans supported high tariffs, low spending, and reducing paper money; Democrats opposed tariffs and were tied to financiers.
• The Civil Service Act of 1883 introduced merit-based hiring for some federal jobs but increased dependence on corporate donations.
• The Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890) aimed to prevent monopolies but was often used against labor unions.
• States and cities expanded public works, education, and welfare, but courts sometimes overturned labor reforms.
• Southern states implemented Jim Crow laws, restricting African American rights.

Farmers and the Populist Movement

• Farmers, hurt by railroad monopolies, formed the Grange and Farmers' Alliance to seek fair shipping rates and economic cooperation.
• The subtreasury plan proposed government loans and grain storage to bypass banks.
• The Populist (People’s) Party formed, advocating for reforms like government-owned railroads, graduated income tax, and free silver.
• Populists succeeded in some western states and supported labor rights and women's suffrage.
• Racial divisions and fear of inflation limited Populist appeal among industrial workers.

Decline of the Populists and Lasting Impact

• William Jennings Bryan, Democrat and supporter of free silver, ran for president in 1896 but lost to McKinley.
• After Bryan's defeat, Populist influence waned, but many ideas (direct election of senators, income tax) became law later.
• Investigative journalists, called Muckrakers, later exposed ongoing corruption.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Political Machine — Organization controlling local politics through patronage and manipulation of votes.
• Tammany Hall — New York City’s dominant Democratic political machine.
• Graft — The use of political power for personal financial gain.
• Credit Mobilier Scandal — Railroad company’s scheme of overcharging and bribing Congress.
• Whiskey Ring — Network of distillers and officials evading excise taxes.
• Civil Service Act (1883) — Law introducing a merit system for certain federal jobs.
• Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890) — Law banning business practices that restrained trade.
• Grange/Farmers’ Alliance — Farmer groups advocating for economic reforms.
• Populist (People’s) Party — Political party for farmer and laborer reforms in the 1890s.
• Jim Crow Laws — Southern state laws enforcing racial segregation.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review the rise of Progressive Era reforms and their ties to Populist demands.
• Study the implementation and effects of Jim Crow laws and upcoming reform movements.