APUSH: Chapter 19 Amsco Notes (pp. 380-382)
Gilded Age – Mark Twain coined term. Superficial glitter of new
wealth little substance.
Politics of era:
1.
Forgettable Presidents
2.
Ignored problems from industrial growth industry/cities
(me) led to power of political machines
3.
Avoidance of controversial issues.
Causes of Stalemate:
1.
Prevailing political ideology/thought
2.
Campaign tactics
3.
Party Patronage (as we saw with political machines, etc. in
chap. 18.
Limited Gov.
a. Laissez-faire + Social Darwinism
b. Fed. Courts did not regulate business (that much)  see
quote on page 380.
i. “My country, ‘is of thee, Once land of liberty, Of
thee I sing. Land of the Millionaire; Farmers
with pockets bare; Caused by the cursed snareThe Money Ring.” Alliance Songster, 1890
1. This statement truly sums up this time
period.
Campaign Strategy –
1.
Close elections 1876+1892. Dem’s won two presidency’s,
controlled House 8 of 10 elections. Result divided
government. Repub’s were in control 89-91 of presidency
and house.
2.
Campaigns – Brass bands, flags, free beers, etc.
a. Avoided issues – 80% came out to vote (a lot)
i. Strong party loyalty regional, religious, ethnic
ties.
Republicans
Democrats
-Reminded people and veterans -Former Confederate states 
of CW and how Dem’s started it “Solid South”
Wave “Bloody Shirt” tactic
-In north, big political machines
-Reformers and Afr. Amer.’s
+ immigrant vote. (Ironic to me
because the KKK was/is against
-Core-business men and middle these types of people). Chuck Norris
agrees
class.
-High protective tariffs for bus.
-Anglo-Saxon Protestants
-Catholics, Lutherans, Jews –
anti-temperance/prohibition
which was led by Protestants
Repub’s

-States rights and limited power
of Fed. Gov.
Party Patronage –
1.
Name of the game was to gain office, hold it, give jobs to
party members. Example below of Repub’s in NY
a. Conkling of NY –
Stalwarts
b. Blain – opponents of Stalwarts - Halfbreeds
c. Repub’s who didn’t play game –Mugwumps (fence
sitters)