121B: The presidents of the Gilded Age Flashcards
Who were the four presidents of the Gilded Age?
Hayes, Garfield, Arthur and Cleveland
What two major issues dominated the presidency of Hayes?
Civil Service Reform and the Railroad Strike of 1877
Instead of giving jobs to political supporters, how did Hayes wish to award jobs?
By merit, according to an examination that all applicants had to take
By the 1870s what was the government made up of?
Incompetent and demoralised party hacks
What did Hayes call for reform bring him into?
Conflict with those who supported favoured the spoils system
Did Hayes convince Congress to outlaw the spoils system?
No
What executive order did Hayes issue instead?
An order which forbade federal officeholders from being required to make campaign contributions or taking part in party politics
Although reform legislation did not pass during Haye’s presidency what did he set the way for?
Further civil service reform under his successors, particularly the Pendleton Act of 1883
What was Hayes faced with in his first year in office?
The largest labour disturbance in US history, the Great Railroad Strike of 1877
What caused the Railroad Strike?
The major railroads cut their employees wages several times in 1877, which led to a strike of railroad workers
What did Hayes show in response to the Great Railroad Strike?
Federal government support for business and industry in the face of possible strike action, as Hayes was prepared to send federal troops to prevent riots
How long did Garfield’s presidency last?
Only a matter of months
Did Garfield support reform of the civil service?
Yes, he believed the spoils system was damaging to the presidency
What else did Garfield continue from his predecessor?
Reform of the Post Office
Why was there a Congressional investigation into the Post Office Department?
Profiteering rings allegedly stole millions of dollars, employing bogus mail contracts called ‘star routes’
