Unit 7 Heimler

Populist Party

• Advocated for the election of senators by the people.

• Pushed for initiative and referendum to increase public involvement in legislation.

• Supported the unlimited coinage of silver to alleviate financial issues.

Women's Suffrage and Temperance Movement

• Women actively campaigned for a more equitable society.

• Focused on women's suffrage: the right to vote.

• National American Woman Suffrage Association formed.

• Involved in the temperance movement to reduce alcohol consumption.

• Organizations included the Women's Christian Temperance Movement and the Anti-Saloon League.

Politics in the Gilded Age

• Politics reflected Civil War divisions and debates over the government's role.

• The era had a few wealthy individuals but widespread corruption.

Political Parties: Democrats and Republicans

• Retained Civil War beliefs.

• Disagreements over patronage for civil service jobs, addressed by the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1881.

• Replaced the patronage system with competitive civil service examinations.

• Conflicts over the gold standard, with farmers and entrepreneurs favoring silver coinage.

• Disputes over tariffs: protective tariffs aided American industries but increased import costs.

Government Corruption

• Urban political machines, like Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed, used community support for votes.

• Tammany Hall provided community assistance in exchange for votes.