Chapter 16 The Gilded Age. 1. Segregation & Social Tension After Reconstruction – Jim Crow Laws Attempts to disenfranchise blacks Got around 15 th amendment.

Chapter 16Chapter 16

The Gilded AgeThe Gilded Age

1. Segregation & Social Tension1. Segregation & Social Tension

After Reconstruction – After Reconstruction – Jim Crow LawsJim Crow LawsAttempts to Attempts to disenfranchisedisenfranchise blacks blacksGot around 15Got around 15thth amendment amendment– Poll taxPoll tax– Literacy testLiteracy test– Grandfather clause – could vote if grandfather did (no Grandfather clause – could vote if grandfather did (no

one’s grandfather could!)one’s grandfather could!)

Widespread segregationWidespread segregationPlessy v. FergusonPlessy v. Ferguson (1896) – “ (1896) – “Separate but Separate but EqualEqual” facilities were ok; upheld Jim Crow” facilities were ok; upheld Jim Crow

OppositionOpposition

Booker T. Booker T. WashingtonWashington

Build up economic Build up economic resources, earn resources, earn reputation as hard reputation as hard workingworking

Tuskeegee Institute Tuskeegee Institute – – promoted vocational promoted vocational trainingtraining

OppositionOpposition

W.E.B. DuBoisW.E.B. DuBois

Urged blacks to Urged blacks to demand equality & demand equality & not be limited by not be limited by vocational trainingvocational training

Demand changeDemand change

Ida B. WellsIda B. Wells – – crusaded against the crusaded against the horrors of lynchinghorrors of lynching

DiscriminationDiscrimination

Chinese on west coast; laborersChinese on west coast; laborersChinese ExclusionChinese Exclusion Act – quotas on Act – quotas on immigrants (first)immigrants (first)Mexicans in the west also deprived of Mexicans in the west also deprived of rights, landrights, landWomen – further crusades by Anthony Women – further crusades by Anthony and Stanton (14and Stanton (14thth Am. excluded women) Am. excluded women)By 1906, only 4 states gave women the By 1906, only 4 states gave women the right to vote (first: Wyoming)right to vote (first: Wyoming)

2. Political & Economic Challenge2. Political & Economic Challenge

Wave of corruption in politics after some “weak” Wave of corruption in politics after some “weak” presidents (Hayes, Harrison, Arthur)presidents (Hayes, Harrison, Arthur)Grover Cleveland – reputation of honestyGrover Cleveland – reputation of honestyPolitical “bossesPolitical “bosses” ran local elections” ran local elections– ““Boss Tweed” – Tweed ring in NYBoss Tweed” – Tweed ring in NY

Spoils systemSpoils system contributed contributedCivil Service reform: Civil Service reform: Pendleton Civil Service Act Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883(1883) required govt. workers to take an exam ) required govt. workers to take an exam (after James Garfield shot for not giving a (after James Garfield shot for not giving a supporter a govt. job)supporter a govt. job)Debate over gold standard (some wanted silver)Debate over gold standard (some wanted silver)

3. Farmers and Populism3. Farmers and Populism

High debts, low prices for crops, high High debts, low prices for crops, high transportation costs (monopolies on rail transportation costs (monopolies on rail rates); felt unappreciated and rates); felt unappreciated and unrepresentedunrepresentedDisliked banks and big businessDisliked banks and big businessGrangeGrange – united farmers; education on – united farmers; education on farming techniques, reduced rates on farming techniques, reduced rates on shipping, grain storageshipping, grain storageFarmer’s alliances grew alsoFarmer’s alliances grew also

Populist PartyPopulist Party

People’s Party – grassroots party to help People’s Party – grassroots party to help farmers, workers, etc.farmers, workers, etc.Tom WatsonTom Watson, GA – famous populist leader (cast , GA – famous populist leader (cast aside racial prejudice)aside racial prejudice)1896 populists supported 1896 populists supported William Jennings William Jennings BryanBryan (spoke against big business and gold (spoke against big business and gold standard – standard – “cross of gold“cross of gold” speech; favored silver ” speech; favored silver too)too)Lost to William McKinley; party fadedLost to William McKinley; party faded– Reforms later – graduated income tax, regulation of Reforms later – graduated income tax, regulation of

railroads, flexible monetary system (not just gold), railroads, flexible monetary system (not just gold), party of the peopleparty of the people