APUSH: Period 6, 1865-1898 - The Gilded Age, Political Machines, Tammany Hall, Mark Twain

Why This Matters

The Gilded Age (1870s-1890s) is a pivotal period in American history, marked by the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and the growth of big business. However, beneath the surface of this "gilded" facade, corruption, inequality, and social unrest simmered, threatening the very foundations of American democracy. This era's complexities and contradictions are essential for understanding the AP theme of Politics and Power, as they reveal the tensions between economic growth, social justice, and the role of government in regulating the economy.

Key Events & People

• Tammany Hall: A powerful Democratic Party machine in New York City, known for its corrupt practices and influence over local politics. (Founded in 1789)
• Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens): A renowned author and social critic who coined the term "Gilded Age" to describe the era's superficial prosperity and underlying corruption. (Born in 1835)
• William "Boss" Tweed: A notorious leader of Tammany Hall, infamous for his embezzlement and corruption. (Born in 1823)
• The Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883): A landmark legislation that aimed to reform the federal civil service system by making appointments based on merit rather than patronage. (Signed into law by President Chester A. Arthur)
• The Haymarket Riot (1886): A labor protest in Chicago that turned violent, leading to the execution of four anarchist leaders and the eventual passage of the Labor Day holiday. (May 4, 1886)
• The Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890): A federal law that prohibited monopolies and attempted to regulate big business, but ultimately proved ineffective in the face of corporate power. (Signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison)
• The Populist Movement: A grassroots movement that emerged in the late 19th century, advocating for farmers' rights, free silver, and government regulation of the economy. (Active from the 1880s to the 1890s)
• Ida Tarbell: A pioneering journalist who exposed the Standard Oil Company's monopolistic practices, contributing to the passage of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. (Born in 1857)
• The Pullman Strike (1894): A nationwide railroad strike that was violently suppressed by federal troops, marking a turning point in the labor movement. (June 1894)
• The Gold Standard Act (1879): A federal law that established the gold standard, linking the value of the dollar to gold and limiting the government's ability to print money. (Signed into law by President Rutherford B. Hayes)

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The rapid growth of industrialization and urbanization in the late 19th century created new social and economic challenges.
• Effect: The rise of big business and the growth of cities led to increased poverty, inequality, and social unrest.

• Long-term consequence: The Gilded Age's social and economic problems contributed to the growth of the Progressive Movement, which sought to reform American society and politics.

• Cause: The corrupt practices of Tammany Hall and other political machines undermined trust in government and fueled social unrest.

• Effect: The public's disillusionment with politics led to increased support for reform movements, such as the Populist Movement.

• Long-term consequence: The Progressive Movement's emphasis on government reform and regulation helped to establish the modern American welfare state.

• Cause: The Sherman Anti-Trust Act's failure to regulate big business led to further consolidation and monopolization.

• Effect: The growth of corporate power contributed to increased income inequality and social unrest.
• Long-term consequence: The failure of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act paved the way for the rise of even larger corporations and the eventual need for more comprehensive regulatory reforms.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Gilded Age*: A term coined by Mark Twain to describe the era's superficial prosperity and underlying corruption.
• *Tammany Hall*: A powerful Democratic Party machine in New York City, known for its corrupt practices and influence over local politics.
• *Populist Movement*: A grassroots movement that emerged in the late 19th century, advocating for farmers' rights, free silver, and government regulation of the economy.
• *Sherman Anti-Trust Act*: A federal law that prohibited monopolies and attempted to regulate big business.
• *Gold Standard Act*: A federal law that established the gold standard, linking the value of the dollar to gold and limiting the government's ability to print money.
• *Pendleton Civil Service Act*: A landmark legislation that aimed to reform the federal civil service system by making appointments based on merit rather than patronage.
• *Haymarket Riot*: A labor protest in Chicago that turned violent, leading to the execution of four anarchist leaders and the eventual passage of the Labor Day holiday.
• *Pullman Strike*: A nationwide railroad strike that was violently suppressed by federal troops, marking a turning point in the labor movement.
• *Ida Tarbell*: A pioneering journalist who exposed the Standard Oil Company's monopolistic practices, contributing to the passage of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.
• *William "Boss" Tweed*: A notorious leader of Tammany Hall, infamous for his embezzlement and corruption.
• *Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)*: A renowned author and social critic who coined the term "Gilded Age" to describe the era's superficial prosperity and underlying corruption.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Gilded Age began in the 1860s and ended in the 1880s.
• Correction: The Gilded Age actually began in the 1870s and ended in the 1890s.
• What students often get wrong: Tammany Hall was a Republican Party machine.
• Correction: Tammany Hall was actually a Democratic Party machine.
• What students often get wrong: The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was passed in the 1880s.
• Correction: The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was actually passed in 1890.
• What students often get wrong: The Pullman Strike was a successful labor protest.
• Correction: The Pullman Strike was actually violently suppressed by federal troops.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of Tammany Hall in shaping American politics during the Gilded Age. Be sure to include specific examples of the machine's corrupt practices and their impact on the city's politics.
  • Evidence: The Tweed Ring's embezzlement scandal, the machine's influence over local elections, and the rise of reform movements in response to Tammany Hall's corruption.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the effectiveness of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act in regulating big business during the Gilded Age. Be sure to include specific examples of the law's impact on corporate power and the economy.
  • Evidence: The Standard Oil Company's monopolistic practices, the law's failure to prevent further consolidation, and the rise of even larger corporations in the early 20th century.
• Possible essay prompt: Discuss the impact of the Gilded Age on American society and politics. Be sure to include specific examples of the era's social and economic challenges and the responses of reform movements.
  • Evidence: The growth of cities and industrialization, the rise of the Populist Movement, and the eventual passage of the Progressive Movement's reforms.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the primary purpose of the Pendleton Civil Service Act? a) To regulate big business b) To reform the federal civil service system c) To address social unrest d) To promote free silver

Answer: b) To reform the federal civil service system

Explanation: The Pendleton Civil Service Act aimed to make appointments based on merit rather than patronage, marking a significant reform in the federal civil service system.

1. Who coined the term "Gilded Age" to describe the era's superficial prosperity and underlying corruption? a) Mark Twain b) William "Boss" Tweed c) Ida Tarbell d) Samuel Gompers

Answer: a) Mark Twain

Explanation: Mark Twain, a renowned author and social critic, coined the term "Gilded Age" to describe the era's superficial prosperity and underlying corruption.

1. What was the outcome of the Haymarket Riot? a) The execution of four anarchist leaders b) The passage of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act c) The rise of the Populist Movement d) The establishment of the gold standard

Answer: a) The execution of four anarchist leaders

Explanation: The Haymarket Riot turned violent, leading to the execution of four anarchist leaders and the eventual passage of the Labor Day holiday.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Gilded Age was named by Mark Twain – it means glittering on the outside, corrupt inside.
• The Pendleton Civil Service Act was signed into law by President Chester A. Arthur in 1883.
• The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was passed in 1890.
• The Gold Standard Act was signed into law by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1879.
• The Pullman Strike was violently suppressed by federal troops in June 1894.
• William "Boss" Tweed was a notorious leader of Tammany Hall, infamous for his embezzlement and corruption.
• Ida Tarbell was a pioneering journalist who exposed the Standard Oil Company's monopolistic practices.
• The Populist Movement emerged in the late 19th century, advocating for farmers' rights, free silver, and government regulation of the economy.
• The Haymarket Riot was a labor protest in Chicago that turned violent in May 1886.
• The Sherman Anti-Trust Act prohibited monopolies and attempted to regulate big business.
• The Gold Standard Act linked the value of the dollar to gold and limited the government's ability to print money.