Ch. 15 Section 4 Politics in the Gilded Age

Ch. 15 Section 4 Politics in the Gilded Age

Overview
Objectives
To describe measures taken by Presidents Hayes, Garfield, and Arthur to reform the spoils system.
To explain the positions taken by presidents Cleveland, Harrison, and McKinley on the tariff issue.

Focus & Motivate
Starting With the Student
How does one go about getting a job? Would you get help from a friend or a friend’s parent? Is it fair to use “connections?”
Consider that the spoils system began in the early 19th century. Why do you suppose it lasted so long?

Objective 1 Instruct
Civil Service Replaces Patronage
Discussing Key Ideas
Patronage results in incompetence and fraud in government.
Hayes takes measures to reform civil service.
Garfield wins the 1890 election but is assassinated the following year.
With Arthur’s civil service reform, Congress passes the Pendleton Act in 1883.

More About. . .
Before moving into the White House, President Arthur had it completely cleaned out and refurnished. He managed to fill 24 wagons with items that had accumulated over the years, including a hat that had belonged to John Quincy Adams and a pair of trousers worn by Abraham Lincoln. These and other items were sold at auction. Ironically, a sideboard that the Women’s Christian Temperance Union had presented to Mrs. Rutherford Hayes—nicnamed “Lemonade Lucy,” because she had refused to serve liquor in the White House—was bought by a Washington saloonkeeper, who installed it in his barroom.

Objective 2 Instruct
Efforts to Regulate Tariffs Fail
Discussing Key Ideas
Cleveland runs on a low-tariff platform and loses the presidency to Harrison, who raises tariffs.
In his second term, Cleveland fails to lower tariffs.

Now & Then
Tariffs Versus NAFTA
Write an editorial about tariffs. The topics to be addressed may include jobs and the cost of goods.

Close
In the Gilded Age, political reformers began to replace the evils of patronage with a civil service system. They did not have same success in reducing the high tariffs that protected American industry.

Recognizing Effects
By allowing people to be hired for government jobs on the basis of political beliefs, rather than competence, and by making possible opportunities for misuse of influence.

Analyzing Motives
Because they thought his antireform views would balance presidential candidate James A. Garfield’s belief in civil-service reform.

Recognizing Effects
Positive: More competent and honest federal workers.
Negative: Closer ties between government and big business.

Analyzing Causes
Because of political pressure exerted by companies that benefited from the tariff.

Section 4 Assessment

Terms & Names
Patronage, p. 455
Civil service, p. 455
Rutherford B. Hayes, p. 456
Stalwarts, p. 456
James A. Garfield, p. 456
Chester A. Arthur, p. 456
Pendleton Act, p. 456
Grover Cleveland, p. 457
Benjamin Harrison, p. 457

Summarizing
Leader Position Stand
Hayes president, p. 77-’81 for civil service reform
Conkling N.Y. Senator against civil service reform
Arthur president, p. 81-’85 supported Pendleton Act
Cleveland president, p. ’85-’89, supported lower tariffs
’93-‘97
Harrison president, p. 89-’93 supported higher tariffs

Hypothesizing
Possible Response: Federal employment would have continued to be dominated by politics, politicians would have been less dependent on big business for campaign funds, and a key issue would have continued dividing the Republicans.
Forming An Opinion
Responses should reflect awareness that high tariffs might help business at the expense of consumers.

Ch. 15 Section 3 The Emergence of the Political Machine

Ch. 15 Section 3 The Emergence of the Political Machine

Overview
Objectives
To explain the role of political machines and political bosses.
To describe how politicians’ greed and fraud cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

Focus & Motivate
Starting With the Student
Have you ever given someone a gift with the intention of getting something in return? Do you believe that such a practice is common among politicians today?

More About. . .
George Washington Plunkitt
Plunkitt believed in giving people something in exchange for their votes. He furnished emergency lodging and clothing to families hit by fire. He found jobs for the unemployed. He put in a good word for youngsters who got into trouble with the police. He paid court fines for constituents who were picked up for being drunk. “The poor are the most grateful people in the world,” he pointed out, “and, let me tell you, they have more friends in their neighborhoods than the rich have in theirs.”

Objective 1 Instruct
Political Machines Run the Cities
Discussing Key Ideas
In major cities, political machines provide services to voters in exchange for political or financial support.
Political bosses control thousands of municipal jobs and regulate business licenses and inspections.
Many of the bosses are immigrants who have worked their way up through the political system.

Objective 2 Instruct
Municipal Graft and Scandal
Discussing Key Ideas
To maintain their power and to make money, some political machines turn to election fraud, bribery, and graft.
The efforts of political cartoonist Thomas Nast help bring down Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall, New York City’s powerful Democratic machine.

History From Visuals, p. 454
“The Tammany Tiger Loose”
Viewing the Cartoon
Who are the onlookers?
Why are they allowing the tiger to attack the victim?

Extension
What cartoon can you draw to convey the same idea?

History From Visuals, p. 454
Boss Tweed’s World-Class Expenses
Reading the Chart
Look closely at Boss Tweed’s picture. Why do you think his picture is included on the bar graph?

Extension
What is the connection between the Nast cartoon, above, and the chart.
Answer:
In both, Tweed is in control and the public pays.

Close
In the late 19th century, political machines ran the major cities.

Summarizing
Like a pyramid—precinct workers and captains formed the base. The city boss was at the top.

Analyzing Motives
Because the machines helped them adjust to life in America.

Comparing
Both amassed huge fortunes—not always legally—but also did some social good.

Section 3 Assessment

Terms & Names
Graft, p. 452
Political machine, p. 452
Kickback, p. 453
Tammany Hall, p. 454
Tweed Ring, p. 454
Thomas Nast, p. 454

Summarizing
Advantages: Provided people with jobs; provided public services; helped immigranat6s become citizens.

Disadvantages: Engaged in election fraud; collected kickbacks; controlled the police; granted favors to business.

Generalizing
Students might focus on the meaning of coerce. Although machine politicians may no have threatened people with violence, they could have caused them great hardship.
Analyzing Causes
Answers should be supported with reasons. Possible point: the rapid economic growth of large cities meant that decisions by local governments could provide people with the opportunity to make large amounts of money.