APUSH reform

Corruption Overview

• Title: Corruption

• Authors: Amanda Linahan, Akhil Bollimpalli, Christenelle San Diego, Sabrina Rodier, Siddharth Nair

• APUSH: Sean Paul Kennedy, Founder & CEO Bud Light, Assistant to the Regional Manager

• Date: 12 September, 2001

Key Concepts of Corruption

• Types of Corruption:

  • Political Machines

  • Corporate Influence

  • Lax Regulation

Political Machines

• Examples:

  • Tammany Hall (NYC)

  • Cook County (Chicago)

  • Pendergast (Kansas City)

• Impact on Society:

  • Widespread graft; beneficial for immigrants

  • Business donations to political campaigns for favorable legislation

  • Business interests prioritized over public interests

Forms of Corruption

• Bribery and Patronage:

  • Contractors receiving kickbacks

  • Inflated prices in government contracting

  • Municipal corruption

• Election Fraud:

  • Presence of election manipulation and fraud

  • “Honest vs. dishonest graft” distinction

• Spoils System:

  • Government officials unqualified

  • Positions awarded for party support

Historical Context: Gilded Age

• Wealth Distribution:

  • Wealthiest 1% owned 51% of property

  • Increased urban immigration leading to more votes

Lincoln Steffens: Background

• Early Life and Career:

  • Born April 6, 1866, in Sacramento, California

  • Wealthy family background; father was a businessman

  • Education at military academy, UCBerkeley, and academies in Europe

  • Began as a police reporter at New York Evening Post

  • Worked at McClure’s Magazine, known for "The Shame…" series

• Philosophical Approach:

  • Analyzed corruption in major cities using case studies

  • Coined the term "muckraking" by Teddy Roosevelt

Steffens’ Personal Philosophies

• Convictions:

  • Aristocrat, Reformer, Revolutionary

  • Criticized corrupt elites exploiting the less fortunate

  • Advocated for systematic proofs of claims (positivism)

  • Critique of capitalism and support for communist philosophies

• Notable Works:

  • The Autobiography of Lincoln Steffens

  • The Shame of the Cities: A significant work pushing back against his idealistic portrayal

Robert La Follette: Overview

• Political Background:

  • Governor of Wisconsin (1901-1906)

  • US Senator (1906-1925)

  • Leader of Progressive Republicans, known as "Fighting Bob"

  • Advocated for worker protection and railway regulation

• Reforms advocated:

  • Secret ballot and direct election of senators

  • Initiative, referendum, and recall processes

  • “Wisconsin Idea” promoting cooperation between universities and the state government

Ida Tarbell: Contributions

• Biographical Info:

  • Born November 5, 1857, in Erie County, Pennsylvania

  • Education: Graduated from Allegheny College, editor of Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle

  • Wrote for McClure’s magazine (1894) and co-owned the American Magazine (1906-1915)

• Muckraking Focus:

  • Authored "The History of the Standard Oil Company" (1902-1904)

  • Advocated for social responsibility and anti-monopoly actions

  • Overview of anti-trust efforts leading to significant legislation

Effects of Corruption

• Adaptation of Businesses:

  • Finding loopholes in regulations

  • Subtle and institutionalized lobbying

  • Practices such as gerrymandering to maintain influence

  • Impacts on small companies and oil prices due to monopolistic practices

**Corruption Overview**
Corruption has been a persistent issue throughout history, particularly evident during the Gilded Age in the United States. The context of this problem revolves around the significant wealth gap, with the wealthiest 1% owning 51% of the property. This era saw an influx of urban immigration, which increased the number of votes but also created avenues for exploitation and corruption within political systems.

The problem itself involved various forms of corruption, including political machines, corporate influence, and lax regulation. Political machines like Tammany Hall in NYC and Cook County in Chicago exemplified the widespread graft that benefited certain groups, particularly immigrants, at the expense of the public interest. Bribery and patronage were rampant, with contractors receiving kickbacks and inflated prices in government contracting. Election fraud also became prevalent, leading to manipulations that distinguished between “honest vs. dishonest graft.” The spoils system further entrenched corruption as government positions were awarded based on party loyalty rather than qualifications.

Reformers such as Lincoln Steffens, Robert La Follette, and Ida Tarbell played pivotal roles in addressing these corrupt practices. Lincoln Steffens, born in 1866, was an early muckraker who criticized corrupt elites through case studies in his work "The Shame of the Cities" and advocated for systematic proofs against such corruption. Robert La Follette, governor of Wisconsin and US Senator, led the Progressive movement, emphasizing worker protection and railway regulation, and introduced reforms like the secret ballot and direct election of senators. Meanwhile, Ida Tarbell, through her impactful writing in "The History of the Standard Oil Company," raised awareness about monopolistic practices and championed social responsibility, leading to significant anti-trust legislation.

Overall, the effectiveness of these reformers was notable. Their efforts not only exposed corruption but also led to substantial reforms in government practices and legislation, ultimately fostering greater accountability and transparency. Through their advocacy, these reformers succeeded in initiating a progressive agenda that aimed to curtail the influence of corporate money in politics and promote the public interest, leaving a lasting impact on American society.