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
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Mark Twain
An American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer
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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
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Tammany Hall
A political organization within the Democratic Party in New York City seeking political control by corruption and bossism
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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
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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
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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
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Civil Service Reform
Placed most federal employees on the merit system and marked the end of the so-called "spoils system"
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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
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Thomas Nast
A German-born American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist often considered to be the "Father of the American Cartoon"
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Roscoe Conkling
An American lawyer and Republican politician who represented New York in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate
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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
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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
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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
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Pendleton Act
Provided that federal government jobs be awarded on the basis of merit and that government employees be selected through competitive exams
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"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
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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
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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
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Benjamin Harrison
An American lawyer and politician who served as the 23rd president of the United States from 1889 to 1893
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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.
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