“What is the chief end of man?--to get rich. In what

way?--dishonestly if we can; honestly if we must."

-- Mark Twain-1871

“Why, it is telegraphed all over the country and commented on as something wonderful if a (member of Congress) votes honestly and unselfishly and refuses…to steal from the government.” Mark Twain

Waving the Bloody Shirt

In the years following the Civil War, both the Democratic and Republican parties were equally beholden to special interests.  Furthermore, neither party could gain control of American government.

On the one hand, Republicans dominated the presidency, winning every presidential election between 1868-1912, interrupted only by the Democratic administration of Grover Cleveland. Democrats, on the other hand, controlled Congress and most state legislatures.

From 1868 to 1880, the most common Republican campaign tactic was to wave the "Bloody Shirt" to remind voters of the South's dishonor of seceding and causing the Civil War. This tactic painted all Democrats as traitors to the Union.

Bosses of the Senate--Keppler

Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881) (Rep)

Contested electionTried to reform “political dreamer”Fired Chester Arthur

James Garfield (1881(dies in office) (Rep)Shot by disgruntled job seeker

Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885) (Rep.)Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)

Grover Cleveland (1885-1889) (Dem)1st Democrat in 30 yearsFavored low tariff“Though the people support the government, the government should not support the people”

The Tariff

Republicans—highDemocrats –low (unjust

taxation)Cleveland got House to pass lower tariff, Senate would not

Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893) (Rep)

Cleveland won popular vote,Harrison won electoralHigh tariff

Grover Cleveland (1893-1897) (Dem)

Gilded Age--1877-1900major characteristics influence of powerful special interestsCorruptionExclusion (women, southern blacks,

Indians, illiterate whites, unnaturalized immigrants

Stable party systemRegional balance of power

Factors leading to change

rural discontent that accompanied the transformation of the West and South

Deep economic depression