Chapter 21 - Gilded Age Politics

Gilded Age

Period of gross materialism and blatant political corruption in U.S. history during the 1870s that gave rise to important novels of social and political criticism

Mark Twain

An American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer

William Marcy "Boss" Tweed

An American politician most notable for being the political boss of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party's political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th-century New York City and state

Tammany Hall

A political organization within the Democratic Party in New York City seeking political control by corruption and bossism

Credit Mobilier Scandal

A two-part fraud conducted from 1864 to 1867 by the Union Pacific Railroad and the Crédit Mobilier of America construction company in the building of the eastern portion of the First Transcontinental Railroad

Grant Administration

Worked to reconcile the North and South while also attempting to protect the civil rights of newly freed black slaves; while Grant was personally honest, some of his associates were corrupt and his administration was tarnished by various scandals

Whiskey Ring

An American scandal, broken in May 1875, involving the diversion of tax revenues in a conspiracy among government agents, politicians, whiskey distillers, and distributors

Civil Service Reform

Placed most federal employees on the merit system and marked the end of the so-called "spoils system"

Harper's Weekly

Published by Harper & Brothers from 1857 until 1916, it featured foreign and domestic news, fiction, essays on many subjects, and humor, alongside illustrations

Thomas Nast

A German-born American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist often considered to be the "Father of the American Cartoon"

Roscoe Conkling

An American lawyer and Republican politician who represented New York in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate

Stalwarts

A faction of the Republican Party that existed briefly in the United States during as well as after Reconstruction and the Gilded Age during the 1870s and 1880s

Mugwumps (Half-Breeds)

Supported civil service reform and often blocked legislation and political appointments put forth by their main congressional opponents, the Stalwarts, led by Roscoe Conkling of New York

James A. Garfield

The 20th president of the United States, serving from March 4, 1881, until his death six months later, two months after he was shot by an assassin

Pendleton Act

Provided that federal government jobs be awarded on the basis of merit and that government employees be selected through competitive exams

"Bloody Shirt"

Pejorative phrases used during American election campaigns in the 19th century to deride opposing politicians who made emotional calls to avenge the blood of soldiers that died in the Civil War

Grover Cleveland

An American lawyer and politician who served as the 22nd and 24th president of the United States from 1885 to 1889 and from 1893 to 1897

Mulligan Letters

Between 1864 and 1876, James G. Blaine wrote a series of letters to a Boston businessman, Warren Fisher Jr., that indicated Blaine had used his official power as Speaker of the House of Representatives to promote the fortunes of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad

Benjamin Harrison

An American lawyer and politician who served as the 23rd president of the United States from 1889 to 1893

Custodial Presidency

A term implying that the man is there only to fix problems already out of hand. He does not create policies or change the course of the nation, just keeps it on its way.