gilded age Flashcards
Boss Tweed
in charge of Tamany Hall, ran the New York City Democratic Party and used bribery, graft, and fraud to swindle millions. eventually found out and jailed
Roscoe Conkling
senator that led the “Stalwart” faction of the Republican Party in 1870s and 80s
Horace Greeley
nominee running against Grant in the election of 1872. mudslinging election - Republicans denounced him as a communist, free lover, and vegetarian
Stalwarts
faction of Republican Party that were traditionalists and opposed the moderates. supported Grant for president. supported patronage system
hard money
opposed the advocacy for cheap paper money
patronage
political parties granted jobs and favors to party regulars and supporters
The Forgettable Presidents
Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, Harrison, Cleveland
poll tax
a price necessary for voting - prevented many former slaves from voting
Pendleton Act
created the Civil Service Commission, end spoils system
J P Morgan
“the bankers’ banker”, used the system of interlocking directorates to neutralize competition and become a banking tycoon
pools
earliest form of business combination - agreement to divide business in a given area and share the profits
Andrew Carnegie
steel tycoon who used practice of vertical integration (consolidating all steps of manufacturing into his one company) to eliminate competition. Gospel of wealth about philanthropy
James Duke
used new machine to make cigarettes to absorb competitors into his American Tobacco Company
United States Steel
company founded by Carnegie, steel producer
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
forbade trusts or combinations in business. first legislation to regulate big business for public good
Yellow Dog Contract
written contract between employers and employees in which the employees sign an agreement that they will not join a union while working for the company
corporation
a company
Knights of Labor
second national labor organization. known for wanting to organize all workers, regardless of skill level, gender, or race
new immigrants
Chinese came for gold and RR work. very disliked
Hull House
settlement house for immigrants established by Jane Addams
Modernists
opposed religious fundamentalists and suported change and ideas of a “good God”
Credit Mobilier
construction company formed by owners of Union Pacific Railroad commissioned to build the railroad at highly inflated prices (and profits)
James Blaine
champion of the “Half Breeds”, a faction of the Republican Party opposed to spoils system and the stalwarts headed by Conkling
Half Breeds
faction of republican party opposed to spoils system
Panic of 1873
depression caused by over speculation that led to further call for cheap paper money and unlimited coinage of silver
Greenback Labor Party
union of farmers wanting cheap paper money and improving labor. James b weaver run for president