Explain what the
Dawes Act and the
Homestead Act did.
1)
Explain Social Darwinism and laissez-faire
economics, and how they fit together.
2)
Explain why people like Rockefeller and Carnegie
formed trusts.
3)
Put the following into one paragraph: collective
bargaining, tenements, I.W.W., A.F.L., Robber
Barons
Cities had grown at a very
fast rate. Local
governments could not
keep up with the increased
demands of the growing
cities.
In a time period known for
Social Darwinism, cities
were receptive to a new
power structure and new
politician.
Definition: organized group
that controlled the activities
of the political party in a
city; offered services to
voters and businesses in
exchange for political or
financial support
City
Boss
A Political Boss may or may not be
the actual mayor of the city, but
certainly controlled the city and its
government jobs
Ward Boss
Precinct Captain
This type of
system helped
immigrants
naturalize, find
jobs and housing
in exchange for
their votes
1)
What were the 2 reasons the Louisiana
Purchase was so important?
2)
What was the impact of Marbury v. Madison?
3)
What are the 2 ways the US Constitution can
be changed to allow it to function as our plan
for government still?
The Political Machine fell victim to corruption. When votes weren’t enough, some
used fake names and had people vote numerous times in order to win elections.
Graft- illegal use of political influence for personal gains
Kickback- illegal payment for services
The Tweed Ring Scandal
Boss Tweed, head of Tammany Hall (NYC’s
Democratic Political Machine), Defrauded
NYC by charging $13 Million for a project that
cost $3 Million. Eventually cause and served
12 years in prison.
Giving government jobs to people who helped the candidate get elected. Often times, people were not
qualified for the jobs. Many people wanted civil service exams to be offered so that jobs would go to the
most qualified person.
Rutherford B. Hayes tried to reform patronage but could not get it by congress, used alternative
means by giving independents jobs in cabinet and investigating patronage claims  made the
“Stalwarts” angry (a supporter of political boss Roscoe Conkling)
James Garfield is elected in 1880, and again gave patronage jobs to independents (which angered
stalwarts again)
Garfield (20th President) was assassinated by a stalwart in hopes his replacement Chester A.
Arthur would give stalwarts the patronage jobs. Arthur did the opposite by urging congress to
pass the first civil service law
Based federal job appointments on a standardized test score.
This was supported by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress!
Politicians looked to Big Business for campaign money
(now that they were no longer getting money from individuals as part of the patronage system)
Big Business wanted high tariffs to promote their own goods, while Democrats wanted low tariffs
to promote low prices in the market.
1884 = Grover Cleveland – tried to lower tariffs
1888 = Ben Harrison – raised tariffs (campaign funded by big business)
1892 = Cleveland elected again – lowered tariffs
1896 = William McKinley – raised tariffs