The Role of Government in the Gilded Age

Continuity and Change in Role of Government during Gilded Age

  • Continuity

    • Social Darwinism justified laissez-faire economics for the purpose of economic growth

    • Gospel of Wealth validated extreme wealth among industrial capitalists

    • government supports industrial capitalists to grow U.S. economy

  • Change (New Markets & Places)

    • U.S. continues to expand, but west is “closed.” They expand past U.S. borders to compete with foreign powers

    • U.S. expands to global influence by Open Door Note, Annexation of Hawaii, and Alfred T. Mahnan call to government to increase size of Navy

    • increase in strength and role of government by promoting overseas expansion

    • leads to…

      • American imperialism and more reform movements

Role of Government

  • Government’s role in the economy increases the government’s power because they need initiative to get things done to improve economic standing of U.S.

  • Ways government accomplished goal:

    • The American System

    • turnpikes, railroads, canals

    • Homestead Act (1862)

  • Government was intent on expansion and encourage economic growth, DOT regulate it

Political Parties

  • Republicans

    • Anglo-Saxon Protestant

    • pro-business

    • government regulation on social issues

    • higher tariff

    • gold standard

  • Democrats

    • Catholics, Jews, immigrants

    • industrial and urban location

    • pro-business

    • state rights

    • low tariff

    • silver standard

    • farmers

  • Both parties gave patronage jobs and had political machines

    • political machines located in urban areas and provided services for immigrants in exchange for votes

  • Populist Party

    • critical of laissez-faire

    • farmers/factory workers

    • more government regulation

    • 8 hour workdays

    • silver standard

Election of 1896

  • Populist candidate: William Jennings Bryan

    • showed how serious populist party was

    • Bryan had agrarian interests in mind

  • Republican candidate: William McKinley

    • won and served and president

    • served in Federal Army during Civil War and was Governor of Ohio

  • Impact

    • 1896 election was turning point because the population shifted from mostly rural to mostly urban

    • McKinley wins due to urban support → symbolized end of Populist Party