Gilded Age Politics Vocab

What were the Gilded Age Congresses like?

It was very corrupt

What is a political machine? How were these machines both helpful to Americans and corrupt?

It is an organization that works to win elections so it can exercise power. It was helpful by providing helpful services to immigrants, and poor people.

Who is “Boss” Tweed?

basically ran New York by running the political machine and explained how they worked

What is Tammany Hall?

a political machine (dominated democratic parties) that would receive $2 for every $1 received by the contractor

What are the basics of the Credit Mobilier Scandal?

It was a construction company, It overcharged the public for construction costs and siphoned off profits to Credit Mobilier while also bribing Congressmen

What are the basics of the Whiskey Ring Scandal?

was when a group of distillers did not want to pay the taxes so with the help of a grant administrator undercounted their products to avoid paying the taxes.

What were the goals of the Civil Service Act and was it effective

The goal of it was to help get rid of favoritism in federal employees and to instead go off of merit and ability. No it was not effective.

What were the goals of the Sherman Antitrust Act and was it effective

it was put in place to stop any acts from passing the made trade illegal. No it was not effective

How did political parties begin to realign in the Gilded Age?

The People’s party (populists) was made up of miners and those in the industry but many voters stuck with the Democratic and Republican parties. Though the People’s party dismantled their ideas remain at the forefront.