Gilded Age Concept Map

Gilded Age Politics
The Low Point of American Politics

Era of "Forgettable" Presidents

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Attempted to reestablish honest government

Avoidance of Controversial Issues

Unsolved Problems from Industrial Growth

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Ended Radical Reconstruction

Presidents

Chester A. Arthur

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Stalwarts and Halfbreeds - Rivals for patronage jobs

Presidents

James Garfield

Presidents

Rutherford B. Hayes

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Halfbreed candidate who chose other Halfbreeds for most offices

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Killed by gunshot from a deranged office seeker, Vice President Chester A. Arthur takes over

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Distanced himself from Stalwarts and supported civil service reform bills

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Surprisingly good president for times, but questioning of high protective tariff denied him renomination

Presidents

Grover Cleveland

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Frugal and limited government in tradition of Jefferson

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Interstate Commerce Act and Dawes Act-Regulation of business and support for Native Americans

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Greenback Party-Support of paper money

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Populist Party

Presidents

Benjamin Harrison

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President during the Billion-dollar Congress

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Recieved less popular votes but won election due to sweep of the Northern states

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Government corruption with constant contesting for office position angered the people

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Panic of 1893-Stock market crash from overspeculation

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Decline in Silver prices leading to dangerously low gold reserve

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Fears of class wars between capital and labor

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Tariffs created great discontent among people

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Trusts becoming increasingly powerful

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Railroad issues such as monopolies remained unsolved

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Paper money benefitted Northern farmers (Greenbacks), but was not backed by specie, angering creditors and investors

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Laissez-faire economics and social Darwinism were inadequate for large labor force

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Little response to trusts prior to Sherman Anti-Trust Act