Gilded Age Politics Name: Amanda McQuade

Brinkley, pp. 541-545/Gilded Age Politics Power Point

1. What were the defining characteristics of late 19th century politics?

a. This era was the most highly competitive political era in US History. Voter turnout
reaches highest level in US history, the parties avoided controversial issues that would
alienate voters, and this era lead to issue free campaigns that focused on on party
loyalty.
2. What were the major differences between the Democratic and Republican parties during this
time?
a. The major differences between Democrats and Republicans were that the Democratic
Party was mostly made up of immigrants, was largely pro-South, Emphasized on
Economic equality, and opposed single moral standards. Republicans were mainly pro-
midwestern with agrarian interests, was made up of businessman and African
Americans, and strict moral codes.
3. What was patronage? How did it split the Republican Party?
a. Patronage is the act of giving away government offices for votes, and other kickbacks to
gain support. It split the Republican party into three different parties that either favored
it, others who urged for reforms, and those who were anti-political corruption. These
were called Stalwarts, or those who favored the spoils system, Half-Breeds, who wanted
these reforms, or Mugwumps, who were against corruption.
4. What were the major issues/legislation passed during each of the following presidencies?
a. James Garfield (1881)
i. Appointed patronage jobs to Half-Breeds, yet was assassinated by a Stalwart.
Became a martyr for the civil service system to demand reforms.
b. Chester Arthur (1881-1885)
i. Signed the Pendleton Act that prohibited hiring office holders based on wealth,
set up Civil Service Commission, and forced politicians to look to corporations
for campaign funds
c. Grover Cleveland (1885-1889)
i. Believed in Laissez-Faire economics, believed in the merit system (replacing
Republicans with “Deserved Democrats”), Vetoed pension bills, and supported a
lower tariff.
d. Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)
i. Reversed Cleveland’s policies, Sherman Silverman Act, signed McKinley Tariff
Act that raised tariffs by 48%, which caused damage to farmers.
5. Why was the Democratic Party labeled the party of “Rum, Romanism & Rebellion” during the
presidential election of 1884? How did it impact the election?
a. This label was made to insult the Irish Community of New York, and became used as a
nativist phrase. It impacted the election by raising nativist sentiment, and caused the
Republican vote to rise.
6. What was the intent of the Interstate Commerce Act?
a. The Interstate Commerce Act was meant to regulate the railroad industry that did not
allow the government to fix specific rates, but did encourage regulation.