+ Chapter 15 Section 1 Politics in the Gilded Age.

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Chapter 15 Section 1

Politics in the Gilded Age

+Gilded Age

Gilded means covered with a thin layer of gold

Gilded Age suggests that a thin but glittering layer of prosperity covered the poverty and corruption of much of society

+Is the term Gilded Age a positive or negative description of this period? Explain

Negative

It suggests that the positive and prosperous aspects of society were a thin, golden layer masking numerous problems, such as poverty and corruption

+Laissez Faire

A hands off approach to economic matters

Government should play a very limited role in business

Supporters would say that if government stays out of the way, strong businesses will succeed and bring wealth to the entire nation

+Subsidy

A payment made by the government to encourage the development of certain key industries, such as railroads

To ensure government aid, some business owners would support friendly politicians with bribes

+What is the purpose of a subsidy?

To promote the expansion of industries deemed essential by the government.

+Blue Law

Regulations that prohibited certain private activities that some people considered immoral

Republicans supported these laws, Democrats did not

Blue laws were just one of many issues that divided Republicans and Democrats

+Civil Service

The government’s nonelected workers

Very corrupt during the Gilded Age

Many civil service workers hired because they had powerful friends, bribed the right person, or made a campaign contribution to the right politician..rarely hired because they were qualified

+Pendleton Service Act

Passed in 1883

Created a Civil Service Commission which tested how qualified applicants were for Civil Service jobs

Signed into law by President Chester Arthur

+Rebate

Partial refunds to favored customers

This would give an advantage to one business over another when it comes to railroad transportation RRs would also

keep rates secret so they could charge whatever they wanted or charge more for short hauls than long hauls

+Munn v. Illinois

1877 Supreme Court Case

Allowed states to regulate certain businesses inside their borders (including railroads)

However, this does not regulate interstate railroad traffic Corruption could

still exist there

+How did the Interstate Commerce Act affect railroads?

It required railroads to set rates according to distance and to make rates public and universal for all customers