THE GILDED AGE!
1877-1890
, Politics of the Gilded Age:
Most criticised period of US history: New York Custom House:
- General political stagnation - Main port for importing goods
- Corruption - Huge opportunities for extortion
- Politicians = self interests - If tariffs are not accepted, imports would b
- Little differences between the Democrats and undervalued and declared as forfeit
Republicans - ½ of the total goes to the head of the cust
house
- 1874 - $50,000 bribe paid by Phelps Dodg
The spoils system:
- System of political patronage to Senator Conkling
- Reward key voters with gov’t jobs
- In conflict with American principle of meritocracy Traditionist view:
- Party loyalty over administrative competence - Corruption and greed
Revisionist view:
- Irwin Unger & Howard Wayne Morgan
- Corruption = overemphasised
- Many politicians did want to make a differ
- Republican’s = more activist
- Democrats = more limited government
1877-1890
, Politics of the Gilded Age:
Most criticised period of US history: New York Custom House:
- General political stagnation - Main port for importing goods
- Corruption - Huge opportunities for extortion
- Politicians = self interests - If tariffs are not accepted, imports would b
- Little differences between the Democrats and undervalued and declared as forfeit
Republicans - ½ of the total goes to the head of the cust
house
- 1874 - $50,000 bribe paid by Phelps Dodg
The spoils system:
- System of political patronage to Senator Conkling
- Reward key voters with gov’t jobs
- In conflict with American principle of meritocracy Traditionist view:
- Party loyalty over administrative competence - Corruption and greed
Revisionist view:
- Irwin Unger & Howard Wayne Morgan
- Corruption = overemphasised
- Many politicians did want to make a differ
- Republican’s = more activist
- Democrats = more limited government
