Gilded Age Politics: Crash Course US History #26

Host: John Green
Focus: Political science during the Gilded Age
Me From the Past's question: Why isn't this a history class?
Response: History cannot be confined to strict academic boxes; interdisciplinary connections are essential.

The term "Gilded Age" originates from the book "The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today" by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner, published in 1873.
Initial reception of the book: not very successful.
The book's portrayal: It critiques American democracy rather than merely showcasing the era's wealth and luxury.

Historical Quotations:
- Twain about Congress: “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”
- On a distinct Native American criminal class: “It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly Native American criminal class except Congress.”

Overview: As the economy transformed post-Civil War, America's political system became increasingly corrupt.

Famous quote by House Speaker Tip O'Neill: "All politics is local."
Introduction to the urban political machine:
- Definition: An organization that seeks to win elections primarily to exercise power.
- Example: Tammany Hall in New York City, a Democratic political machine known for corruption.

Presentation of a mystery document discussing political graft.
Key term: "Honest graft" defined:
- Example of corrupt practices in politics where an individual profits from insider information about public improvements.
- Author: George Plunkitt from "Plunkitt of Tammany Hall."

Tweed as a leading figure in the late 1860s and early 1870s in New York politics.
Example of corruption: The building of the County Courthouse initially estimated to cost $250,000 but finished at $13 million.
- Breakdown of costs includes:
- $180,000 for furniture
- $1.5 million for lighting
- $41,000 for cleaning supplies
- $500,000 for initial plasterwork, later raised to $1 million for repairs.
Standard practice involved kickbacks for Tammany Hall: Contractors gave $2 for every $1 received.

Machines like Tammany Hall provided social services to the poor and immigrants:
- Quote from Plunkitt detailing assistance to those in need, bypassing traditional charity systems.
- Expectation of votes from beneficiaries in return for assistance.
Tammany's strategy included:
- Utilization of political influence to provide jobs to constituents.
- Voting fraud involving identity manipulation (bearded men scenario).
- Use of violence and intimidation in politics.

After Grant's terms, a series of one-term presidents:
- Notable figures: Hayes, Garfield, Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, and McKinley who was assassinated.
Republican policies: Favoring high tariffs, low government spending, and reduced paper currency in circulation.
Democratic policies: Opposition to tariffs, often aligned with New York bankers.
Both parties exhibited pro-business stances but supported different sectors.

Significant reforms included:
- Civil Service Act of 1883: Introduced merit-based system for federal employees but increased reliance on donations from big business.
- Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890: Aimed to curb monopolistic practices but primarily used against striking labor groups more than corporations.

Expansion of state responsibilities regarding public health, welfare, and education.
Urban infrastructure improvements, including transportation and utilities.
Laws in northern states to limit work hours faced legal challenges.

Southern states rolling back Reconstruction laws and enacting Jim Crow Laws that limited civil rights for African Americans.

Formation of the Grange movement in the 1870s to advocate for fair railroad rates.
Transition to Farmers Alliance focusing on economic cooperation.
Key proposal: Subtreasury plan allowing farmers to store grain and secure loans.
Farmers’ upset with banks and railroads formed the foundation for the People's Party (Populists).