Heimler's History: Politics in the Gilded Age

Overview

• Final video of Unit 6 in the AP U.S. History curriculum.
• Focus on politics during the Gilded Age.

Characteristics of Gilded Age Politics

• Laissez-faire Attitude: Minimal government intervention leading to significant corruption.
• Political Parties:
  • Democrats:
    • Mainly Southern supporters.
    • Favored states' rights and racial segregation.
    • Supported by big city political machines and growing immigrant populations.
  • Republicans:
    • Northern and industrial supporters.
    • Supported by Black people, middle-class businessmen, and Protestants.
  • Both parties lacked strong legislative agendas and focused on winning elections and patronage.

Key Political Issues

1. Civil Service Reform

• Patronage system led to appointments based on loyalty rather than merit.
• President Garfield assassinated by a disgruntled job seeker.
• Pendleton Act of 1881:
  • Replaced patronage system with a competitive examination for federal jobs.
  • Shift in party funding from party faithful to wealthy individuals.

2. Monetary Policy

• Gold Standard: Limited money supply to the amount backed by gold, preventing inflation.
• Farmers and entrepreneurs advocated for more paper money and unlimited silver coinage for lower interest rates and debts.

3. Tariffs

• High tariffs protected American industries but burdened consumers and farmers.
• Tariffs were a significant revenue source for the federal government.
• Retaliatory tariffs from other nations reduced international sales of American crops.

The Rise of the Populist Party

• Populism: Aimed to address economic power concentration by elites.
• Omaha Platform:
  • Direct election of senators.
  • Initiatives and referendums.
  • Unlimited silver coinage.
  • Graduated income tax.
  • Eight-hour workday.
• Influenced Democratic policies, especially in the 1896 election.

Urban Political Machines

• Dominated city politics, securing votes through organized control.
• Tammany Hall in New York:
  • Led by Boss Tweed.
  • Organized community needs for business, immigrants, and the poor.
  • Engaged in deceit and fraud, despite some community benefits.

Conclusion

• Gilded Age politics were marked by corruption, lack of substantial policy agendas, and the rise of new political forces like the Populist Party.
• Urban centers were heavily influenced by political machines that built power through community manipulation, despite their corrupt practices.