Politics and Populism of the Gilded Age Lack

Politics and Populism of the Gilded Age

Lack of Presidential Power • List of Presidents since Lincoln… – – – – Andrew Johnson Ulysses S. Grant Rutherford B. Hayes James Garfield Chester Arthur Grover Cleveland Benjamin Harrison • The role of the President had diminished since Lincoln • Most of them were particularly weak Presidents

Knights Charge • Grab a KC from the basket • Grab your folders • Take out your maps

Political Corruption • Many politicians including the President’s reputations were ruined by corruption • Many politicians would accept money and be part of political machines

Political Machines • Political Machines- controlled political parties through bribes and rigging elections – Filled ballots w/ names of dogs, children, and people who had died, used those names to cast those votes for themselves – offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for political/ financial support – Gained immigrants support

Boss Tweed • Controlled Tammany Hall- New York City’s most powerful political machine

https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Yild. L_il. QFY

Thomas Nast • Political cartoonist • Exposed political corruption of the Gilded Age

Government Tries to Fix Corruption • Pendleton Civil Service Act - Government workers had to take a civil service exam • Meant to reduce corruption • Meant to reduce Jackson’s Spoils System which gave jobs to political supporters

Problems Facing Farmers • Farmers faced several problems during the Gilded Age 1. Prices for crops fell 2. Shipping costs(railroads) grew too expensive 3. Big Business had too much power over farmers

Farmers Protest • The Grange – Organization led by Oliver Kelley – Wanted government to regulate railroads • Farmers’ Alliances – Called for federal government support

Farmers’ Alliance “There are three great crops raised in Nebraska. One is the crop of corn, one a crop of freight rates, and one a crop of interest. One is produced by farmers who sweat and toil to farm the land. The other two are produced by men who sit in their offices and behind their bank counters and farm the farmers. ” - Farmers’ Alliance 1890

The Populist Party • Farmer protest led to the creation of the Populist Party (People’s Party) – help struggling farmers/ laborers – Increase $ supply

The Omaha Platform • Populist Party ran under the Omaha Platform 1. Unlimited coinage of silver- to make more money 2. Government ownership of railroads 3. Bank regulations

Farmers and Populism • William Jennings Bryan – “Cross of Gold” speech @ the Democratic National Convention – Very passionate speech – Supported bimetallismboth gold and silver backs US Dollar – Ran for president 3 times… • Lost all three times…

Farmers and Populism • Election of 1896 – 1. (R) William Mc. Kinley vs. (D) William Jennings Bryan

Populism’s Legacy • Mc. Kinley’s is elected- Ended Populism!!!!! – 2 legacies: • Focus on Government regulation • Politics focused more on the American working class

Federal Government takes action • To regulate railroads more, the Federal government creates the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)

Take out a sheet of paper. . Its show me time 1. Who controlled the most powerful political machine in NYC? 2. How did Thomas Nast uncover much political corruption of the Gilded Age? 3. What movement that fought to solve farmers’ problems and regulate railroads was led by Oliver H. Kelley? 4. What political party was started to support the American farmer? 5. Who led this party?

Knights Charge 2/2 • What do you think this cartoon is saying?