1865-1890: Reconstruction Corruption and Political Flashcards
Describe the fisk-gould scandal
The financial tycoons bribed officials in Grants cabinet to turn a blind eye while they cornered the gold market.
What was the most notorious political machine?
The Tammany Hall in NYC, led by William Tweed.
Describe William Tweed.
The symbol of corruption during the Gilded Age.
he controlled nearly every aspect of political life in New York City;
- used bribery, extortion, and fraud to get what he wanted;
- sponsored phony elections to put his associates in office.
How was Tammany Hall a benefit to immigrants?
Tammany Hall often gave newly arrived immigrants housing, jobs, and security in exchange for votes.
What got rid of patronage?
Pendleton civil service act in 1883. It favoured meritocracy.
Why was Grant criticised?
His failure to prevent his administration being tainted by various scandals about the ‘Rings’ of political and financial corruption connected to his friends and associates.
What could the large cartels and trusts do?
Not only buy companies, banks and railroads but politicians too. Big business accentuated political corruption by its power and influence.
Describe the New York Customs House.
The collection of duties was blatantly used as a ‘cash cow’ to be milked by corrupt politicians and officials.
Give 2 examples of presidents who suffered a corrupt reputation.
Cleveland had an anti-corruption campaign in 1884, but had struggled to deal with corruption in his home state when he was governor of NYC.
Benjamin Harrison’s public image was one of personal integrity but pork-barrel politics when he rewarded the grand army of the Republic with pensions and federal money.
What had happened by 1890?
Greater awareness of the nature and extent of political corruption and patronage. Beginnings of a powerful backlash against it.
Why and when was the Sherman Antitrust Act passed? What did it do?
There were demands for reform and tighter regulation. 1890. It ensured fair competition in business.
What were trusts and how did the Sherman Antitrust Act limit this?
Trusts were a method used by businesses to organise a monopoly; the act used federal powers over interstate commerce to try to restrict these monopolistic practices.
What were cartels and trust also an enemy of?
Farmers; agricultural protest movements were gaining wide support for their attacks on big business in the late 1880s.
