Gilded age part 1 a

The Gilded Age: 1870s-1890s Part 1

C. Rebuilding a Nation (ca. 1877-ca. 1914)
1.Industrialization and Urbanization
C. Identify labor and workforce issues of the late
nineteenth century, including perspectives of
owners/managers and Social Darwinists
D. Explain the challenges and contributions of
immigrants of the late nineteenth century
E. Explain the causes and impact of urbanization
in the late nineteenth century

Gilded means “gold
plated.” Objects are
gilded to appear more
valuable than they are,
like a ring.
Therefore, in calling
this era the “Gilded
Age,” Mark Twain was
saying it appeared
valuable on the
outside, but
underneath it was not.

The Gilded Age
-The Gilded Age refers to the era in US History
from the 1870s to the 1890s.
-This term was coined by Mark Twain, a prolific
author in the late 1800s. Twain mocked greed and
selfishness within his culture.
-Twain also attacked political corruption that
arose through political leaders who put self-
interest above service during the Gilded Age.

Political Machines
-Rapid growth of cities caused the rich to get richer and MORE citizens to become poor. Social
Darwinism dominated the economy.
-“Political Machine” simply referred to groups who offered services to voters and businesses
for political power and reelection.
-This is the structure of the political machine:
(1) The City Boss: ruled the city as mayor
(2) Ward Bosses: secured votes for the city mayor
(3) Local Precinct Workers

Structure of the Political
Machine
City Boss: The Mayor
Ward Boss: Secured votes
Local Precinct Workers

Corruption, Greed, and Political Machines
-The mayors gave favors to citizens in
exchange for power to be in government
offices.
-The goal was to GET ELECTED to maintain
power.
-This is not necessarily a negative structure. Yet, it
depended on the leader. Some leaders used their power
corruptly and some used their power to help citizens.

Immigrants arrived in the USA in the late
1800s and early 1900s to work in
factories.

Immigrants and the Political Machines
-Cities grew substantially in the late 1800s, due to
the increase of factories and industry. Often, the
workers who came to work at these factories were
immigrants.
-Many leaders involved in the Political Machines
were immigrants or the direct descendants of
immigrants. The votes of the immigrants mattered a
great deal to the political bosses.
-The Political Machines often attempted to
accommodate the needs of the immigrants to keep
political power.

Immigrants worked in an environment of
Social Darwinism in the late
1800s and early 1900s.

Social Darwinism and Immigrants
-As immigrants arrived in the USA, they were
radically impacted by Social Darwinism.
-Big business leaders paid low salaries and the
factories had many health hazards.
-Many immigrants looked to the political
machines to help them achieve better housing,
improve city conditions, and to address other
needs.

The Political Boss
-The “boss” served as mayor in the city. He had
access to government jobs and business licenses.
-In some cases, the political machine helped
citizens.
-For instance, Roscoe Conkling, mayor of Utica,
New York, gave money to build city structures,
helped hospitals, and gave to orphanages with his
power.

While many mayors
involved in political
machines in the Gilded
Age were corrupt, some,
like Roscoe Conkling,
used the process to help
citizens get better
schools, hospitals,
orphanages, and helped
to meet other needs as
well.

Corruption in the Gilded Age
-Graft is a term that describes any illegal use of
political power for personal gain.
-Kickbacks, over charging the city for a service and
giving the surplus to the “boss,” was an example of
graft.
-Criminals used bribes to pay a mayor to look the
other way while they did illegal activity, another
example of graft.

During the Gilded Age, corrupt political leaders paid
contractors to do jobs for the city. Yet, the contractors
illegally gave the mayor money back to bribe the mayor to
let their company do the job. This was called a “kickback”
and was against the law.

The “Boss” Tweed Scandal
-William “Boss” Tweed led New York City in the
late 1860s to the early 1870s.
-He gave $13 Million in tax payer money to
build a $3 Million court house and took a
“kickback” from the contractor.
-Tweed was given a prison sentence of 12
years, served 1 year, escaped, and he was
eventually arrested again in Europe.

Gilded age part 1 a

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Gilded age part 1 a

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