The term “the Gilded Age” was coined in the satirical book co-authored by Mark Twain in 1873.If you find yourself interested in this book, check out this link it’s pretty cool! http://www.fullbooks.com/The-Gilded-Age9.html. This expression characterized the political and social life in the last twenty years of the nineteenth century. During this era, there was a lot of corruption and political trickery. Most of this political mischief started during President Grant’s term.
The great importance of the gilded age was that two important changes took place. The first change was the “development of a professional bureaucracy of elite specialists in congressional
(Collage of gilded age themes)committees and executive offices”.This was a result of the supposed “dangers” of the majority. The other one was the fostering of a political shift in the 1890’s which was on behalf of the new issues of the time, the “stalemate” of the democratic and republican party, and concerns that the majority all shares.
POLITICS, PARTIES, PATRIONAGE, AND PRESIDENTS (p. 626- 627)
During the late nineteenth century, many people believed that the national government shouldn’t tackle problems of poverty, unemployment, and trusts because they mistrusted the government and realized that in the past, most of its interferences had negative effects. Would it have been beneficial for the government to focus of poverty and unemployment during that era though?
One of the leaders of the post civil war period was roscoe Conkling who explained that the role of government was to “clear the way of impediments and dangers, and leave every class and every individual free and safe in the exertions and per pursuits of life.” This was important because it helped to clear up the misconceptions of the public that the government wasn’t working for the best interest of the citizens.
The gilded age was one of corruption and unproductive government. Henry Adams was ashamed of the times and low quality of the democratic politics especially compared to that of his grandfather’s, (John Quincy Adams), and great grand-father’s (John Adams). Throughout the presidents of the gilded age, none of them made distinguished contributions to history. From Hayes to Harrison, not one of the presidents was able to serve two consecutive terms. Why was it that these presidents were more unsuccessful than previous ones? Was it because of the “hard-to- keep-up-with” times or were the American people just demanding too much of an already weak government?
NATIONAL ISSUES (p. 628-629)
There four issues which were particularly important at the national level during the gilded age.Those issues were the tariffs, which added to the debt of the yeoman farmers, the currency which was constantly inflating (to have hard or soft money, is the question), the civil service, which was a topic almost as volatile as slavery, and last but not least, the government regulation of the railroads, which was the main and most important form of shipping and transportation.All of these issues had vital importance to the country because they dealt with the economy and its upcoming innovations, the debt and currency, and also industrialization and the abilities of the people to meet the cost of living while in low paying industrial jobs.Which of the four great problems do you think had the most impact (good or bad?) and what should or shouldn’t have been one of the issues listed above?
THE LURE OF LOCAL POLITICS (p. 629-631)
During the gilded age, or nineteenth century, voting turnout percentages were some of the highest that America has ever seen(on average as high as 78.5%). But why, if the government is so unproductive, dull, and weak, do most people (78.5%) show so much interest in politics?
It is said that many of the people were brought to the ballots by all of the pretty banners and displays that made it look appealing but also by local issues and for reasons that directly affected the average family. Also, immigrants who lived in the city played a role in the higher political stimulation. This is so because the American born elite who normally controlled politics were moving into the field of big business and urbanization. Those politicians were replaced by urban bosses, who depended of the immigrant’s votes and promised policies like informal welfare systems and gave out jobs, food, rent, fuel, and bail. This along with a lot of exciting parades, rallies, buttons, songs, and oratories made the general public interested in the election and willing to go for both the practice of voting and for a good time. Party leaders used what ever they thought would make them popular among the public to their advantage.
Do you consider this corrupt and anti American or just a political strategy?
The political cartoon to the right shows Grover Cleveland, “Grover the good” angry and frustrated with the rumors of him having an illegitimate child.With such a strong accusation of what was a big deal of the time, why do you think that during the election of 1884, did Grover the good still without any damage from the cartoon, get elected?
(oops, i thought that i could post pictures along side the text…… i guess i can’t sorry….if you wanted to see the political cartoon, it is in the book at the bottom left hand side of page 630 or on the website below)
You can find out more information of this topic at: http://symonsez.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/dr-george-tiller-and-grover-cleveland-any-connection-arctic-sea-ice-20-yr-time-lapse/
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