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The Gilded Age: Corruption in Politics and Civil Service Reform

Explore the era of political corruption in the late 1800s, characterized by powerful political machines, bosses like Tweed of Tammany Hall, and scandals involving figures like Ulysses Grant and William Marcy Tweed. Learn about the Gilded Age presidents and the Election of 1892, where Harrison won despite losing the popular vote. Discover the Civil Service Reform movement that emerged to combat corruption, including the Pendleton Civil Service Act. Uncover the intricate web of power and deceit that shaped American politics during this transformative period.

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The Gilded Age: Corruption in Politics and Civil Service Reform

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  1. The Gilded Age

  2. Mark Twain elegantly stated… “Get rich; dishonestly if we can, honestly if we must.”

  3. Corruption in Politics vocabulary • Political machines – powerful organizations that influenced city and county politics in the late 1800’s. • Exchanged money and jobs for working-class votes • Bosses – powerful leaders who ran the political machines

  4. James Bryce stated… “[He] rewards the loyal, punishes the mutinous [disloyal]… [and] negotiates treaties. He generally avoids publicity… and is all the more dangerous because he sits, like a spider, hidden in the midst of his web.”

  5. Tammany Hall and other corruption… • William Marcy Tweed – Boss of Tammany Hall who was arrested [and later convicted] of stealingup to $200 million from the Boston City Treasury. • Ulysses Grant and the Whiskey Ring • Congress, the Union Pacific Railroad, and the Credit Mobilier of America

  6. Political Cartoons

  7. Gilded Age Presidents • Rutherford B. Hayes • James A. Garfield (assassinated) • Chester A. Arthur • Grover Cleveland (elected in 1884 and 1892) • Benjamin Harrison • William McKinley (assassinated)

  8. Rutherford B. Hayes (R)

  9. James Garfield (R)

  10. Chester Arthur (R)

  11. Grover Cleveland (D)

  12. Benjamin Harrison (R)

  13. Election of 1892 • Harrison loses the popular vote in 1888 to Grover Cleveland, but still becomes president… how??? • Harrison controls inflation and helps to pass the Sherman Antitrust Act • In 1892, Cleveland runs again, beating now incumbent president Benjamin Harrison

  14. William McKinley (R)

  15. Civil Service Reform • Reaction to the corruption of the corruption of the Gilded Age • Pendleton Civil Service Act – law that creates a merit system for government employees • Today affects more than 90% of government jobs • http://www.scsc.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/civil_service_home/9164

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