Politics and Corruption in the Gilded Age

In the late 1800s, government and business were closely connected, with policies often favoring business interests. High tariffs protected American industries, and government interventions in labor...

George Plunkitt distinguishes "honest graft" from "dishonest graft" by defining honest graft as using insider knowledge and political connections to profit legally. For example, buying land in...

Progressives aimed to address Gilded Age issues through government regulation and social reforms. They exposed societal problems via muckraking journalism, leading to public pressure for change....

During the Gilded Age, the government played a minimal role in protecting workers' liberty, adhering to a laissez-faire policy. There were no labor laws, safety standards, or legal unions, leaving...

A famous American political machine was Tammany Hall in New York City. Its organizer was William Macy Tweed, known as "Boss Tweed," who helped elect various politicians through corrupt means. Tweed...

The rise of political machines and boss rule in American cities during the late 19th century was driven by rapid urbanization and lack of social safety nets. Political machines exploited these...

During the Gilded Age, politicians extensively used the spoils system, rewarding political allies with government jobs and favors. This practice, initiated by Andrew Jackson, continued under...

Political machines during the Gilded Age both benefited and harmed city-dwellers. They provided social services, jobs, and legal aid to certain immigrant groups and the working class, securing their...

During the Gilded Age, major political issues included civil service reform, highlighted by the Pendleton Civil Service Act, and the rise of the Populist Movement led by figures like William Jennings...

Political bosses in the Gilded Age justified their graft by claiming they addressed unmet needs in urban areas, particularly for immigrants. They argued that local governments failed to provide...

Significant problems during the Gilded Age in the United States included economic inequality, political corruption, and labor unrest. The era saw the rise of powerful industrialists and monopolies,...

During the Gilded Age, farmers focused their anger on several issues, including tightening credit and low crop prices. They advocated for a bi-metallic money supply to ease debts and opposed the...

During the Gilded Age, some Americans, particularly the upper and emerging middle classes, experienced increased leisure time due to industrialization and improved factory efficiency. This time off,...

City political machines during the Industrial Revolution significantly impacted society by providing social support to urban poor and immigrants in exchange for political loyalty. These...

Reformers like Plunkitt were popular with voters despite their corruption because they provided essential services to the poor, such as food, jobs, and medical care. Political machine leaders helped...

During the U.S. Gilded Age (1890-1900), three significant reforms occurred: the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890, which increased tariffs on imports to protect American manufacturers; the Sherman Silver...

The federal government's role in regulating the Gilded Age economy is debated, with opinions varying based on political ideology. The era, spanning from the 1870s to 1900, saw rapid economic growth,...

Tammany Hall was a powerful New York City political organization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It influenced organized baseball by controlling local politics and businesses, including...

In the late 1800s, Democratic leadership was characterized by an agrarian focus and support for bimetalism, appealing to farmers but alienating industrialists. In contrast, Republicans, led by...

Political machines built support for their candidates by offering favors and services in exchange for votes, rather than focusing on policy positions. They used control over city government to amass...

During the Gilded Age, greed was exemplified by the railroad companies' accumulation of wealth while maintaining opulent lifestyles, often at the expense of impoverished workers. These companies also...