Gilded Age Politics

Gilded age meaning

to be coated in gold

• first coined by novellist Mark Twain in reference to this era

• refers to the rapid economic progress of this era, but also growing wealth divide and many societal problems

Mugwumps

Republicans who wanted to reform the spoils system in the Civil service

Rutherford Hayes term

1877-1881

Rutherford Hayes strengths

• determined to reform the Civil Service away from the spoils system

• Executive Order - forbade federal office holders from giving money/ participating in party politics

• ‘set the ball rolling’ for reform

Rutherford Hayes weaknesses

• Railroad strike 1877 - sent in federal troops (not popular with workers)

• no reform laws passed

James Garfield term

March - September 1881

James Garfield strengths

• strengthened federal controls over the NY customs house

• forced the resignation of Stalwart leader Roscoe Conkling from Senate

• stopped the ‘star routes’ post office fraud

James Garfield weaknesses

• short lived presidency, assassinated by Charles Guiteau

Chester Arthur term

1881-1885

Chester Arthur strengths

• 1883 Pendleton Act - called for meritocracy within the civil service

• Created the Civil Service Commission

• his veto of the Chinese Exclusion Act strengthened executive powers following Reconstruction

Chester Arthur weaknesses

• vetoed the Chinese Exclusion Act, but signed a less harsh version of the bill - racist?

Cleveland Party

Democrat - this broke the streak of Republican dominance

Grover Cleveland term

1885-1889

Grover Cleveland strengths

• made a lot of appointments based on merit alone

• did not fire any Republicans (as would normally happen under the spoils system)

• seen as reform-minded, won support across parties for this

Grover Cleveland weaknesses

• believed in limited government, frequently used the presidential veto against the Republican dominated Senate

• vetoed pension bill for civil war veterans

• vetoed Texas seed bill which would give $10,000 following drought

Benjamin Harrison term

1889-1893

Benjamin Harrison strengths

• 1890 Sherman Anti Trust Act - for trust-busting, challenges the power of big business

• 1890 Sherman Silver Purchase ACt - incorporated some silver into the currency, pleasing Westerners/farmers

Benjamin Harrison weaknesses

• ‘pork barrel politics’ - rewarded the Grand Army of the Republic (a key pressure group of veterans) with pensions for their voter support

• ‘billion dollar congress’ Republicans favoured big business

• replaced 31,000 postmasters with Republican sympathisers

features of Golden Age Politics

• elections based on patronage, not principles

• lack of clear party division on key issues eg, currency, civil service reform

• neither party able to dominate Congress

• absence of a strong presidency following Johnson

• only 2 national parties, did not seem to represent all the people’s interests

• dominance of big business interests in politics