The Gilded AgeThe Gilded Age

Chapter 23Chapter 23

End of ReconstructionEnd of Reconstruction

► When Reconstruction ended, there When Reconstruction ended, there were many political and social issues were many political and social issues that needed to be dealt with. There that needed to be dealt with. There were still issues regarding the newly were still issues regarding the newly freed slaves, the South, and the freed slaves, the South, and the relationships between industry and relationships between industry and politics.politics.

Hayes becomes PresidentHayes becomes President

► In 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes (R) In 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes (R) ran against Samuel J. Tilden (D) ran against Samuel J. Tilden (D) for president. Tilden won the for president. Tilden won the popular vote, but fell one vote popular vote, but fell one vote short in the electoral college, short in the electoral college, although 20 were disputed. although 20 were disputed.

► Congress gave the presidency to Congress gave the presidency to Hayes, and for the first time a Hayes, and for the first time a candidate who had lost the candidate who had lost the popular election became popular election became president.president.

► Had to be approved by the Had to be approved by the House of Reps, which was House of Reps, which was controlled by Democrats. controlled by Democrats.

Compromise of 1877Compromise of 1877

► To secure the presidency for Hayes, the To secure the presidency for Hayes, the Compromise of 1877 was created to gain Compromise of 1877 was created to gain the vote of the House of Reps.the vote of the House of Reps. Removal of federal troops from Louisiana and Removal of federal troops from Louisiana and

South Carolina South Carolina Federal money to build a railroad from Texas to Federal money to build a railroad from Texas to

the West Costthe West Cost Improvement of Southern rivers, harbors, and Improvement of Southern rivers, harbors, and

bridges.bridges. Appointment of a conservative Southerner to Appointment of a conservative Southerner to

Hayes’ cabinet.Hayes’ cabinet.► Formally ended Reconstruction in the South. Formally ended Reconstruction in the South.

Home Rule in the SouthHome Rule in the South

► After Hayes removed federal troops from LA After Hayes removed federal troops from LA and SC, the Democrats took over. and SC, the Democrats took over.

► Achieved their goal of Achieved their goal of home rulehome rule – the ability – the ability to run state governments without federal to run state governments without federal intervention. intervention.

► Wanted to “rescue” the south from the Wanted to “rescue” the south from the mismanagement of the North. mismanagement of the North.

► Passed laws to restrict the rights of African Passed laws to restrict the rights of African Americans, wiped out social programs, and Americans, wiped out social programs, and dismantled public schools.dismantled public schools.

Southern Control of African Southern Control of African rightsrights

► In an effort to maintain control over In an effort to maintain control over African Americans, the south imposed African Americans, the south imposed strict voting restrictions on African strict voting restrictions on African Americans.Americans. Limited vote to those who could readLimited vote to those who could read Poll taxes that had to be paid before votingPoll taxes that had to be paid before voting Grandfather clause: To protect white men Grandfather clause: To protect white men

who failed the literacy test or couldn’t pay who failed the literacy test or couldn’t pay the poll tax. Were able to vote if their the poll tax. Were able to vote if their grandfather was able by law. grandfather was able by law.

Jim Crow LawsJim Crow Laws

► Another effort to limit the Another effort to limit the rights of African Americans rights of African Americans was the creation of Jim was the creation of Jim Crow laws.Crow laws.

► Segregation laws to Segregation laws to separate blacks and whites separate blacks and whites in public and private in public and private places.places.

► Schools, hospitals, parks, Schools, hospitals, parks, and transportation systems and transportation systems throughout the south were throughout the south were subject to these laws. subject to these laws.

Plessy v. FergusonPlessy v. Ferguson► U.S. Supreme Court case testing the U.S. Supreme Court case testing the

constitutionality of segregation.constitutionality of segregation.► Ruling: Separation of races in public places Ruling: Separation of races in public places

was legal and did not violate the 14was legal and did not violate the 14thth Amendment.Amendment.

► Established “separate but equal”, which Established “separate but equal”, which allowed serration to continue as long as allowed serration to continue as long as there were “equal” facilities.there were “equal” facilities.

► Continued for almost 60 years…Continued for almost 60 years…

Political Machines:Political Machines:► Since cities were so Since cities were so

crowded, the local crowded, the local government couldn’t government couldn’t control everythingcontrol everything

► During late 1800’s, many During late 1800’s, many cities were run by a cities were run by a Political MachinePolitical Machine - - an an organized group, headed organized group, headed by a city boss, that by a city boss, that controlled activities in a controlled activities in a city.city.

► Offered services to voters Offered services to voters & businesses in exchange & businesses in exchange for political or financial for political or financial support.support.

The Role of the Political Boss:The Role of the Political Boss:

► What else did the What else did the bosses do:bosses do:

► 1. Controlled access to 1. Controlled access to jobsjobs

► 2. Built parks, sewer 2. Built parks, sewer systems, and systems, and waterworks.waterworks.

► 3. Gave money to 3. Gave money to hospitals, schools, and hospitals, schools, and orphanages.orphanages.

► So that…..people would So that…..people would vote for them!!vote for them!!

Immigrants and Bosses:Immigrants and Bosses:► The immigrants liked the The immigrants liked the

idea of political machines idea of political machines and bosses. Why?and bosses. Why?

► 1. Many of the bosses were 1. Many of the bosses were immigrants themselves– immigrants themselves– they spoke their language they spoke their language and battled the same and battled the same hardships.hardships.

► 2. They helped the 2. They helped the immigrants with immigrants with NaturalizationNaturalization – full – full American citizenship.American citizenship.

► 3. Helped them get jobs and 3. Helped them get jobs and houseshouses

► And in return – VOTES!!!And in return – VOTES!!!

Corruption and FraudCorruption and Fraud

► When they didn’t have enough voters, When they didn’t have enough voters, political bosses would use fake names political bosses would use fake names to cast additional votes.to cast additional votes.

► Once they got their candidate into Once they got their candidate into office, they would rely on office, they would rely on graftgraft, or the , or the illegal use of political influence for illegal use of political influence for personal gain. personal gain. Ex. Help with a community project, and Ex. Help with a community project, and

bill the city for more than the cost to bring bill the city for more than the cost to bring in more money from the city.in more money from the city.

Boss Tweed & ScandalBoss Tweed & Scandal

► William Tweed, known as Boss William Tweed, known as Boss Tweed was head of Tammany Hall, Tweed was head of Tammany Hall, New York City’s Democratic political New York City’s Democratic political machine.machine.

► Led the “Tweed Ring”, a group of Led the “Tweed Ring”, a group of corrupt politicians, in defrauding the corrupt politicians, in defrauding the city.city.

► New York County Courthouse: Project New York County Courthouse: Project cost taxpayers $13 million, while the cost taxpayers $13 million, while the actual construction only cost $3 actual construction only cost $3 million. million.

► The extra money went to Boss The extra money went to Boss Tweed and his followers. (graft)Tweed and his followers. (graft)

Tweed Ring Scandal cont…Tweed Ring Scandal cont…

► The Tweed Ring was finally The Tweed Ring was finally broken in 1871 after a broken in 1871 after a political cartoonist named political cartoonist named Thomas Nast helped raise Thomas Nast helped raise public outrage against public outrage against Tweed.Tweed.

► Tweed was found guilty of Tweed was found guilty of fraud and extortion and fraud and extortion and sentenced to 12 years in sentenced to 12 years in prison.prison.

► Served 1 year, released, Served 1 year, released, was later sent back to jail was later sent back to jail until he escaped to Spain.until he escaped to Spain.

Patronage:Patronage:

► National politics National politics were also corrupt – were also corrupt – It’s all about who It’s all about who you know.you know.

► PatronagePatronage: giving : giving of government jobs of government jobs to people of the to people of the same party who had same party who had helped a candidate helped a candidate get elected.get elected.

President Hayes:President Hayes:► President President

Rutherford B. Rutherford B. HayesHayes attempted to attempted to reform civil servicereform civil service

► Some members of Some members of Republican party Republican party objectedobjected

► He decides not to He decides not to run for re-election run for re-election (no support)(no support)

Garfield’s Assassination:Garfield’s Assassination:► StalwartsStalwarts opposed opposed

change in patronage change in patronage system.system.

► ReformersReformers supported supported changing the systemchanging the system

► New PresidentNew President James James GarfieldGarfield attempts to attempts to reform the patronage reform the patronage system and is system and is assassinatedassassinated

► Chester A. ArthurChester A. Arthur Garfield’s VP - Becomes Garfield’s VP - Becomes the new Presidentthe new President

Chester A. Arthur in Action:Chester A. Arthur in Action:

► Arthur’s first message Arthur’s first message to the Congress was to to the Congress was to pass the pass the Pendleton Pendleton Civil Service ActCivil Service Act - - Created a civil service Created a civil service commission to give commission to give government jobs based government jobs based on merit, not politicson merit, not politics

► This caused politicians This caused politicians to turn to big to turn to big businesses for moneybusinesses for money