Period 6:1865-1898

The transformation of the Unites States

from and agricultural to an increasingly
industrialized and urbanized society
brought about significant economic,
political, diplomatic, social, environmental
and cultural changes.

6.1 Industrialism in the Glided Age

 Themes Politics
Even as postCivil War America expanded and
industrialized, political life in the Gilded Age was marked by
ineptitude, stalemate, and corruption. Despite their
similarity at the national level, the two parties competed
fiercely for offices and spoils, while doling out pork-barrel
benefits to veterans and other special interest groups.

The serious issues of monetary and agrarian reform, labor,

race, and economic fairness were largely swept under the
rug by the political system, until revolting farmers and a
major economic depression beginning in 1893 created a
growing sense of crisis and demands for radical change.
Corruption-Individual: Attempted to corner the Gold Market (6.3.IIA)

Jubille Jim Fiske Jay Gould

Corruption Local: Tweed Ring
Tammany Hall, NYC
Corruption Local: Tweed Ring
Tammany Hall, NYC

William Marcy Tweed

Thomas Nast
Thomas Nast: Under the Thumb
Thomas Nast: Tammany Ring
Thomas Nast: What are you going to do about it?
Thomas Nast: Let us Prey
Thomas Nast: The Brains
Corruption National: Credit Mobilier
Corruption National: Thomas Nast: Whiskey Ring
Comparison of a $5 Demand Note (upper image) and an 1862 issue $5 United States
Note (lower image). Note the removal of the words "On Demand" and of the phrase
"Receivable in Payment of All Public Dues". Also note the Treasury Seal added to the
United States Note. (6.3.IIA)
 Panic of 1873
Hard Money Soft Money
Value of $ to Increase Value of the $ to
Deflation not Inflation decrease
Less money in Inflation not Deflation
circulation More money in
Had no desire to see circulation
the $ that they loaned Rising prices of goods,
repaid w/depreciated $ but cheaper to pay off
loans/debts
Gold
Silver
Pendleton Act 1883
Growth of Classified Civil Service (subject to competitive requirements)
Presidential Election of 1884 (with electoral vote by state)
Strikes Back
Presidential Election of 1892 (showing vote by county)