Gilded Age Politics: Crash Course US History #26

Summary

This Crash Course episode delves into the Gilded Age's political landscape, highlighting the era's rampant corruption and the rise of urban political machines like Tammany Hall. It explores the infamous 'Boss' Tweed's exploits, the impact of the Credit Mobilier and Whiskey Ring scandals, and the Populist movement's push for reform. The episode also touches on the Populists' influence on later legislation and the challenges they faced, including racism and economic policy disagreements.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Gilded Age, named after Mark Twain's book, represents a period of political and economic corruption despite its glamorous facade.
• 🏙️ Urban political machines, like Tammany Hall in New York City, were organizations that won elections to exercise power, often through corrupt means.
• 💰 'Boss' Tweed exemplified the corruption of the political machines, overpricing public projects and profiting immensely from the misappropriation of funds.
• 👤 George Plunkitt of Tammany Hall wrote about the realities of machine politics, including both corruption and the provision of services to the poor and immigrants.
• 🗳️ Political machines used various tactics to secure votes, including graft, fraud, and even violence.
• 💼 The Credit Mobilier scandal and the Whiskey Ring were examples of federal-level corruption during the Gilded Age, implicating both Congress and the executive branch.
• 🕊️ Despite widespread corruption, some reform legislation was passed, such as the Civil Service Act of 1883, which aimed to reduce political favoritism in federal appointments.
• 🛠️ The Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 was an attempt to regulate monopolies and promote fair trade, but it was difficult to enforce and often used against labor unions.
• 🌾 The Populist movement emerged from the grievances of farmers over issues like unfair railroad rates and the economic power of banks and railroads.
• 🎓 The Populist Party's Omaha Platform of 1892 included a range of progressive reforms, such as government ownership of railroads and a graduated income tax.
• 🗳️ The Populist Party's influence peaked with the 1896 presidential campaign of William Jennings Bryan, who advocated for free coinage of silver to help farmers but ultimately lost the election.

Q & A

What is the Gilded Age and why was it named so?

The Gilded Age refers to a period in the late 19th century in the United States characterized by rapid economic growth and ostentatious displays of wealth, but also significant corruption and inequality. It was named after the book 'The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today' by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner, which was published in 1873 and critiqued the state of American democracy at the time.

Who were Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner, and what was their perspective on the Gilded Age?

Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner were American authors who co-wrote 'The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today.' Their book was a critique of the politics and society of the time, highlighting the corruption and negative aspects of the era, rather than just focusing on the outward displays of wealth.

What is an urban political machine, and how did it function?

An urban political machine is an organization that works to win elections in order to exercise power. The most famous example is New York City's Tammany Hall, which dominated Democratic party politics in the late 19th century and was associated with corruption. These machines provided services to immigrants and the poor in exchange for votes, ensuring their continued power and control over city jobs and contracts.

What is the 'Mystery Document' mentioned in the script, and who is its author?

The 'Mystery Document' is a segment in the script where the author's identity is guessed based on the content. In this case, the document is about machine politics in New York and is written by George Plunkitt, a prominent figure in the Tammany Hall political machine.

Who was 'Boss' Tweed, and what was his role in New York City politics?

'Boss' Tweed was the leader of Tammany Hall and a major figure in New York City politics during the late 1860s and early 1870s. He was notorious for his corrupt practices, including the overpricing of public projects like the construction of the County Courthouse, from which he and his associates profited immensely.

What were the two major political scandals during President Ulysses Grant's administration?

The two major scandals were the Credit Mobilier scandal, which involved overcharging the public for construction costs and bribery of Congressmen, and the Whiskey Ring scandal, which was a tax evasion scheme involving distillers and government officials under the Grant administration.

What was the Grange movement, and how did it evolve into the Farmer's Alliance movement?

The Grange movement was formed by farmers in the 1870s to pressure state governments for fair railroad rates and warehouse charges. It evolved into the Farmer's Alliance movement, which sought economic cooperation to raise prices and later proposed the subtreasury plan to help farmers bypass banks and railroad monopolies.

What were the key components of the People's Party's platform in 1892?

The People's Party's platform in 1892 included the Sub-Treasury Plan, government ownership of railroads, a graduated income tax, government control of the currency, recognition of laborers' rights to form unions, and free coinage of silver to increase the money supply.

Why did the Populist Party struggle to gain widespread support among industrial workers?

The Populist Party struggled to gain support among industrial workers because their call for free coinage of silver would likely lead to inflation, particularly in food prices, which would negatively impact urban laborers.

What impact did the Populist Party have on American politics, even though they did not achieve electoral success?

Despite not achieving electoral success, the Populist Party had a lasting impact on American politics by promoting ideas that later became mainstream, such as the direct election of senators and a progressive income tax.

Who was William Jennings Bryan, and what were his political stances?

William Jennings Bryan was a Democratic nominee for president in 1896 who supported many of the Populist Party's positions, including the free coinage of silver and opposition to the gold standard. He was also known for his advocacy of progressive reforms and his famous 'Cross of Gold' speech.