Politics of the gilded age

Populism

A political movement founded in the 1890s representing mainly farmers that favored free coinage of silver and government control of railroads and other large industries.

Greenbacks

A unit of paper currency first issued by the federal government during the Civil War.

Inflation

An ongoing increase in prices and decrease in the value of money.

Deflation

An ongoing decrease in prices and an increase in the value of money.

Cooperatives

A store where farmers buy products from each other; an enterprise owned and operated by those who use its services.

Currency

Paper money used as a medium of exchange.

Graduated Income Tax

A tax based on the net income of an individual or business which taxes different income levels at different rates.

Bond

A note issued by the government that promises to pay off a loan with interest.

Strategy

A plan or method for achieving a goal.

Patronage

The practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs.

Civil Service Reform

A movement to change the system of government employment to one based on qualifications rather than political affiliation.

Interstate Commerce Act

The first federal law to regulate interstate commerce, aiming to limit railroad rates and outlaw rebates.