United States History and Geography: Modern Times, Student Edition
The document explores the political landscape of the Gilded Age in late 19th-century America, characterized by intense political competition, economic challenges, and significant social movements. It discusses the issues of patronage and civil service reform, the impact of railroad regulation, and ...
Politics Of the Gilded Age
Vocabulary
Deputy: A person appointed to assist the superior or to represent them in their absence.
Civil service: The professional branches of a government's administration; a system where most
government workers are given jobs based on qualifications rather than on political affiliation.
Patronage: aid that an organization or individual bestows to another; spoils system
Inefficient: Wasteful of time or resources
Reformers: Political philosophers
Synopsis (meanings): A brief statement or outline giving a general view of some subject.
Negotiate: To discuss or bargain to reach an agreement
Rebates: A partial refund to someone who has paid too much money for tax, rent, or utility.
Corporations: Large companies or groups of companies authorized to act as a single entity and
recognized as such in law.
Commerce: The activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale.
Short Haul: A relatively short distance, especially in terms of transportation or shipping.
Imposed: To establish or apply (a rule, law, tax, etc.) with authority.
Consumers: People who buy goods and services for personal use
Greenbacks: paper money issued by the United States during and after the American Civil War.
Inflation: is the increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money.
Mortgages: loans used to purchase real estate, where the property itself serves as collateral for the loan.
Recession: a period of economic decline characterized by a decrease in GDP, employment, and trade,
Backfired: to have an unexpected negative consequence or result.
Terrain: the physical features of an area, such as its landscape, topography, or land surface.
In the late 1800s, the two major political parties were closely competitive, and issues such as tariffs and
business regulations were hotly debated. Meanwhile, farmers facing falling crop prices and deflation tried
to overcome their problems by forming organizations. In the 1890s, many farmers joined the Populist
Party.
Civil service reform needed
Before the 1880s, most federal government jobs were given out through the spoils system. This meant
that when new leaders were elected, they fired all the existing government workers and replaced them
with their supporters. This reward of political allies with government positions is called patronage.
However, after the Civil War, many Americans thought patronage led to an inefficient and corrupt
government.
When Rutherford B. Hayes became president in 1877, he tried to end patronage by firing officials who
had been given jobs because of their support of the party and replacing them
with reformers. His actions split the Republican Party between “Stalwarts” (who supported patronage) led
by Chester Arthur as a vice president, “Halfbreeds” (who backed some reform), and reformers led by
James Garfield as president . Shortly after, President Garfield was assassinated by an angry man who felt
he was entitled to a government position.
, Garfield’s assassination turned public opinion against the spoils system. In 1883, Congress
passed the Pendleton Act, requiring that some jobs be filled by competitive written exams, rather than by
patronage.
This marked the beginning of professional civil service—a system where most government
workers are given jobs based on qualifications rather than on political affiliation.
Why was civil service reform needed?
Civil service reform was necessary because many of the government positions were filled with supporters
who lacked qualifications, leading to problems and corruption.
Why do politicians break their promises after the election?
because they may prioritize their personal interests or political alliances over their commitments to voters.
Despite pledging better governance, they might appoint unsuitable individuals to key positions, leading to
corruption and inefficiency. This discrepancy between promises and actions can erode trust in politicians
and the political process.
How the American politicians spoiled the civil service and divided the society into groups.
by practicing patronage, where they appointed their supporters to government positions after winning
elections. This led to corruption and inefficiency within the government, as individuals were chosen based
on political allegiance rather than merit or qualifications. As concerns about corruption grew, the
Republican Party became divided.
On one side were the "Stalwarts," led by figures like Vice President Chester A. Arthur, who supported the
continuation of patronage and the traditional spoils system. On the other side were the "Halfbreeds,"
including President Rutherford B. Hayes, who advocated for reforming the civil service system and
reducing political influence in government appointments.
By the 1880s, the American people had become increasingly concerned about the power of large
corporations, fearful they were controlling prices and wages, and corrupting the government.
Small Businesses Problems& Farmers
Small businesses and farmers faced significant challenges with the railroads. Unlike large corporations,
which could negotiate discounts and lower rates due to the large volume of goods they shipped, small
businesses and farmers were often stuck paying higher rates.
Many states responded by passing laws to regulate railroad rates. However, in 1886, the Supreme Court's
ruling in Wabash, St. Louis, and Pacific Railway v. Illinois declared that only the federal government had
the authority to regulate interstate commerce. Public pressure mounted, leading Congress to take action.
In 1887, President Cleveland signed the Interstate Commerce Act into law.
limited railroad rates
The law set limits on railroad rates, stating they must be "reasonable and fair." It also banned rebates and
made it illegal to charge higher rates for shorter distances if they were part of a longer journey.
Additionally, the law established the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), the country's first
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