The Gilded Age was marked by political stagnation with no major legislative agendas from the Republicans or Democrats until the rise of the Populist Party.
Politics at the city level was dominated by political machines such as Tammany Hall in New York led by Boss Tweed, notorious for corruption but also providing aid to immigrants.
Key Political Concepts
Laissez-Faire
A policy where the government took a hands-off approach to regulation.
Democrats and Republicans
Democrats: Predominantly southerners, supported states' rights and segregation, relied on votes from city political machines and immigrants.
Republicans: Mainly northerners, favored by industrialists, business people, and protestants, included Black voters.
Patronage
A system where political winners distributed government jobs to supporters, lacking a deep agenda.
Civil Service Reform
Prompted by the assassination of President James Garfield in 1881.
Led to the establishment of a competitive system to replace patronage in federal jobs.
Economic Policies
Gold Standard
Money was backed by gold, limiting the federal government's ability to print money.
Farmers opposed this as it prevented inflation, which could help them pay debts easier.
Tariffs
Key source of federal revenue, heavily enforced post-Civil War.
Intended to protect domestic industries but imposed financial burdens on consumers.
Rise of the Populist Party
Aimed to address economic power concentration among elites.
Omaha Platform: Included direct election of senators, initiatives and referendums, unlimited silver coinage, graduated income tax, and an eight-hour workday.
Political Machines
Political groups that controlled votes and rewarded supporters with jobs.
Tammany Hall, led by Boss Tweed, was a major political machine that engaged in corruption but supported immigrant communities.
Key Figures
James Garfield: His assassination led to civil service reforms.
Conclusion
The Gilded Age was characterized by political inertia, rising economic inequality, and the eventual emergence of movements pushing for reform and representation, such as the Populist Party.