Post-Reconstruction Politics Notes

Post-Reconstruction Politics Notes

Industry Marches Forward

• Industry expanded rapidly post-Civil War with new technologies like cars, telephones, and electric lighting.

• "Scientific" management (Taylorism) aimed to increase worker efficiency.

Growth of Cities

• Urban population boomed; New York reached 1 million by 1880.

• Chicago's population exploded after 1871.

• City governments and police forces became more important due to population expansion.

Immigration in the East

• U.S. population nearly doubled from 38 to 76 million between 1870 and 1900 due to immigration (12 million immigrants).

• Early immigrants were primarily from Ireland and Germany, later joined by Italians and Russians.

• Most immigrants sought economic opportunities.

Political Machines

• Republicans mostly controlled the White House and Senate.

• Democrats grew in urban areas through political machines (votes for favors), controlling the House and local governments.

• Ideology became less important for both parties.

• Corruption in the spoils system was addressed after President James Garfield's assassination in 1881.

Corporations

• Corporations became popular after the war, allowing investors to pool resources.

• The long-term goal was to integrate vertically/horizontally and monopolize.

• This involved government intervention.

Rising Inequality

• A middle class began to develop, but cities also experienced increased poverty.

• The top 10% of Americans held over 90% of the GDP.