Politics in the Gilded Age

American Federation of Labor

An influential labor organization formed in 1886. Led by Samuel Gompers, it aimed to improve workers' rights and conditions through collective bargaining and strikes. Played a significant role in shaping labor laws and establishing the modern labor movement in the United States.

Charles Guiteau

Assassin of President James Garfield

Election of 1896

Presidential election between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan

Eugene Debs

Leader of the American Railway Union and socialist

Greenbacks

Paper currency issued during the Civil War

Free Silver

Economic policy advocating unlimited coinage of silver to increase money supply and help debtors. Popular in late 19th century US.

Grover Cleveland

22nd and 24th President of the United States

Half-Breeds

Moderate faction of the Republican Party

Haymarket Square

Site of a labor protest and bombing in Chicago

Interstate Commerce Act

Regulated railroad rates and practices

James Blaine

Republican politician and Secretary of State

James Garfield

20th President of the United States, assassinated

Jim Crow Laws

Racial segregation laws in the South

John P. Altgeld

Governor of Illinois and pardoner of Haymarket anarchists

Knights of Labor

Labor union that sought to include all workers

Mark Hanna

Republican political boss and campaign manager

McKinley Tariff of 1890

High protective tariff passed under President McKinley

Mugwumps

Republican reformers who supported Grover Cleveland

Nativism

Anti-immigrant sentiment and policies

Pendleton Act

Established a merit-based civil service system

Plessy vs. Ferguson

Supreme Court case that upheld racial segregation

Political machines

Corrupt organizations that controlled city politics

Populist Party

Political party representing farmers and laborers

Pullman Strike

Nationwide railroad strike led by Eugene Debs

Samuel Gompers

Founder and leader of the American Federation of Labor

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

First federal law to regulate monopolies

Stalwarts

Conservative faction of the Republican Party

Terrance Powderly

Leader of the Knights of Labor

Williams Jennings Bryan

Democratic politician and advocate for free silver

Winfield Scott Hancock

Democratic candidate in the election of 1880

Boss Tweed

Corrupt political boss in New York City

Rutherford B. Hayes

19th President of the United States

Roscoe Conkling

Republican politician and leader of the Stalwarts

Benjamin Harrison

23rd President of the United States

Grand Army of the Republic

Union veterans' organization

Women's Christian Temperance Union

Organization advocating for temperance and women's rights

Frances Willard

Leader of the Women's Christian Temperance Union

Coinage Act of 1873

Ended the minting of silver dollars

Sherman Silver Purchase Act

Increased silver coinage

Spoils System

Rewarding political supporters with government jobs

Chester A. Arthur

21st President of the United States

Bland-Allison Act 1878

Required the government to buy silver

Wabash

Supreme Court case that limited state regulation of railroads

Coxey's Army

Unemployed workers' march on Washington, D.C.

Cross of Gold

Famous speech by William Jennings Bryan advocating for free silver