Gilded age notes

Patronage System and Civil Service Reform

• Overview of the Patronage System:

  • Elected politicians appointed government jobs based on political loyalty rather than competency.

  • Created inefficiency and corruption within government agencies.

  • Led to disarray in parliaments, prioritizing individual interests over public needs.

• Consequences of System:

  • Growing resentment and calls for reform; public demand for accountability due to corruption.

  • Assassination of President Garfield:

  • Triggered national shock and urgency for civil service reform, highlighting the dangers of patronage.

• Merit-Based Hiring Acts:

  • Implementation of acts requiring merit hiring for government positions.

  • Limited political patronage but did not eliminate corruption; patronage adapted to find new loopholes.

Rural to Urban Migration

• Migration Drivers:

  • Farmers faced challenges due to poor crop fields, declining prices, and technological advancements in farming.

  • Displacement led to job-seeking behavior, particularly in urban centers.

  • Many immigrants (Italians, Germans, Eastern Europeans) moved to cities seeking factory work.

• Economic Struggles in Rural Areas:

  • Overproduction and competition from larger farms caused economic difficulties.

Urbanization and Industrialization

• Immigrant Influx:

  • Between 1865 and 1910, around 20 million immigrants settled, contributing to urban growth, especially in cities like New York and Chicago.

• New Urban Landscapes:

  • Development of neighborhoods, buildings, and factories, but jobs often involved long hours and low pay, leading to poor living conditions.

• Infrastructure Development:

  • Need for organized land use led to the rise of skyscrapers and new transportation systems, making commuting manageable and catering to suburbs.

Social and Economic Impacts

• Challenges Faced by Urban Dwellers:

  • Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and disease outbreaks were common in urban areas.

  • Inequalities grew between wealthy elite and struggling working-class, leading to tensions and labor strikes.

  • Notable strikes:

  • Great Railroad Strike of 1877

  • Haymarket Affair of 1886.

• Labor Movement:

  • Movement towards reform for labor rights, including child labor laws and workplace safety regulations.

Technological Innovations

• Key Innovations:

  • Bessemer Process:

  • Revolutionized steel production, facilitating infrastructure development like railroads and skyscrapers.

  • Telegraph and Telephone:

  • Enhanced long-distance communication, paving the way for modern telecommunication.

  • Electrical Innovations:

  • Thomas Edison’s light bulb introduced electricity to businesses and homes.

Rise of Corporations

• Dominance of Major Industries:

  • John D. Rockefeller (Standard Oil) and Andrew Carnegie (Steel) dominated their respective industries.

  • Carnegie’s model: oligopoly with profit maximization; Rockefeller created a nearly complete monopoly in oil.

• Antitrust Laws:

  • Responses to monopolistic practices led to the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, aiming to restore market competition.

Railroad Expansion

• Significance of Railroads:

  • Provided critical connections and access to previously isolated markets, enhancing economic growth.

  • Transcontinental railroad as a landmark achievement.

• Labor Issues:

  • Many railroad workers were immigrants who endured harsh working conditions.

The Gilded Age

• Economic Disparities:

  • Rapid industrial growth coexisted with significant social, political, and financial abuses.

  • Monopolies led by figures like Rockefeller exploited consumers and suppressed competition.

• Social Issues:

  • Institutional racism post-Reconstruction; Jim Crow laws enforced segregation in the South.

  • Discrimination against immigrants contributed to social unrest in urban areas.

• Cultural Tensions:

  • Rising alcoholism and addiction highlighted the socioeconomic divides and societal problems of this period, overshadowing economic advancements.

Summary of Key Terms and Concepts

• Political Machines:

  • Groups that gained power through corruption, prioritizing personal gain over public welfare, e.g., Tammany Hall under Boss Tweed.

• Child Labor:

  • Widespread during the Gilded Age; workers often faced unsafe conditions and minimal pay.

• Labor Unions:

  • Formed in response to exploitation, advocating for workers' rights and better conditions.

• Economic Inequality:

  • Wealth concentrated in the hands of a few while widespread poverty persisted among industrial workers, leading to calls for reform and changes in labor regulations.

In conclusion, the Gilded Age saw significant industrial progress overshadowed by corruption, inequality, and social tensions, resulting in reform movements that aimed to address these systemic issues.

boss tweed

boss Pendergast: A powerful political figure in Philadelphia known for his influence over city politics and often associated with corruption.