Gilded Age Politics

A level american history

Mark Twain

Coined the phrase "the gilded age"

A tale of today

Subtitle to "the gilded age"

The solid South

Democrats exercised almost complete control

The spoils system

the practice of a successful political party giving public office to its supporters.

Roscoe Conkling

New York senator and leader of the Stalwarts

Stalwarts

More traditional Republicans, favoured Southern Civil Rights and patronage, rather than reforming machine politics

James Blaine

Maine senator and leader of the half breeds

Half breeds

Republican faction focused on the reform of a merit based Civil Service

10,000

Garfield winning margin 1880

1883, Arthur

Pendleton reform act year and president

Pendleton Act

Reform measure that established the principle of federal employment on the basis of open, competitive exams and created the Civil Service Commission

Mongrel Tariff

1883, bad compromise, some tariffs increased, some lowered

Grover Cleveland

Only Democrat president

Native American policy

Basis of Harrison's campaign

Grand Army of the Republic

Veteran group who supported Harrison

Pensions and hospitals

Harrison's rewards for veterans

pork barrel

The use of federal funds for local projects designed to please voters or legislators and win votes.

Tammany Hall

Democratic political machine in New York, headed by Boss Tweed.

Sherman Antitrust Act

Gave the federal government permission to dissolve trusts that were large enough to inhibit trade

1890, Harrison

Sherman antitrust act year and President

Irish Americans

Immigants who controlled Tammany Hall

Interstate Commerce Act

Regulated railroad and other interstate businesses

1887, Cleveland

Interstate Commerce act year and president

Silver Purchase Act

Increased the amount of silver the government was required to purchase every month

1890, Harrison

Sherman Silver Purchase act year and president

Dawes Act

Removed Indian land from tribal possesion, redivided it, and distributed it among individual Indian families. Designed to break tribal mentalities and promote individualism.

1887, Cleveland

Dawes act year and President

Pullman Strike

1894 Railroad strike that ended when President Grover Cleveland sent in federal troops

1890, Harrison

McKinley Tariff year and president

McKinley Tariff

Raised protective tariff levels by nearly 50%, allowing American monopolies

Billion Dollar Congress

Republican congress of 1890. Gave pensions to Civil War veterans, increased government silver purchases, and passed McKinley Tariff Act of 1890. First billion dollar budget.

Belknap Scandal 1876

Secretary of War impeached for accepting bribes for the sale of trading posts in Indian Territory, resigned before he was convicted.

Corrupt Bargain Election

Contested election of 1877, resulted in the withdrawal of troops from the South

Reduced debt for farmers

Benefit of silver circulation

Civil service reform league

Formed 1881 to fight corruption

350,000

Veterans on pension list 1885

Lemonade Lucy

Wife of Hayes. Known for not allowing alcoholic beverages in the White House

The Spoilsman's spoilsman

Chester Arthur had a close background in Tammany Hall

69-77

Grant term

77-81

Hayes term

81-81

Garfield term

81-85

Arthur

85-89

Cleveland term 1

89-93

Harrison term

93-97

Cleveland term 2