THIS IS A TRADITIONAL ASSIGNMENT. PRINT AND COMPLETE IN INK.
Name:_______________________________________ Class Period:____ Due Date:___/____/____
Guided Reading & Analysis: The Politics of the Gilded Age, 1877-1900
Chapter 19- The Gilded Age pp 380-391
Reading Assignment: Ch. 19 AMSCO; If you do not have the AMSCO text, use chapter
23 of American Pageant and/or online resources such as the website, podcast, crash
course video, chapter outlines, Hippocampus, etc.
Purpose: This guide is not only a place to record notes as you read, but also to provide a
place and structure for reflections and analysis using your noggin (thinking skills) with new
knowledge gained from the reading
Mastery of the course and AP exam await all who choose to process the information
as they read/receive.
Deja vu So… young Jedi… what is your choice? Do? Or do not? There is no try .
Pictured: Gilded Age Presidents, Grant-Hayes-Garfield-Arthur-Cleveland-Harrison-Cleveland-McKinley, Public Domain.
Directions:
1. Pre-Read: Read the prompts/questions within this guide before you read the chapter.
2. Skim: Flip through the chapter and note titles and subtitles. Look at images and read captions. Get a feel for the content you are about to read.
3. Read/Analyze: Read the chapter. If you have your own copy of AMSCO, Highlight key events and people as you read. Remember, the goal is not
to “fish” for a specific answer(s) to reading guide questions, but to consider questions in order to critically understand what you read!
4. Write Write (do not type) your notes and analysis in the spaces provided. Complete it in INK!
Key Concepts FOR PERIOD 6:
Key Concept 6.1: Technological advances, large-scale production methods, and the opening of new markets encouraged the rise of
industrial capitalism in the United States.
Key Concept 6.2: The migrations that accompanied industrialization transformed both urban and rural areas of the United States
and caused dramatic social and cultural change.
Key Concept 6.3: The Gilded Age produced new cultural and intellectual movements, public reform efforts, and political
debates over economic and social policies.
Section 1 Background and Introduction, page 380
Read page 380 and additional information below. Highlight major cues, and answer the question that follows.
The Gilded Age, which spanned the final three decades of the nineteenth century, was one of the most dynamic, contentious, and volatile periods in
American history. America's industrial economy exploded, generating unprecedented opportunities for individuals to build great fortunes but also leaving many
farmers and workers struggling merely for survival. Overall national wealth increased more than fivefold, a staggering increase, but one that was accompanied by
what many saw as an equally staggering disparity between the rich and the poor. Industrial giants like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller revolutionized
business and ushered in the modern corporate economy, but also, ironically, sometimes destroyed free-market economic competition in the process. Record
numbers of citizens voted in national elections, but the politicians they voted for were often lackluster figures who turned a blind eye to the public interest. It was, as
Dickens might have said, the best of times and the worst of times. But even that Dickensian understanding of the Gilded Age isn't quite right. It's not enough to say
that the Gilded Age was a time of high highs and low lows; the highs and lows were actually often deeply intertwined parts of the exact same developments. In other
words, the highs often were the lows, and vice versa. In the Gilded Age, every dark cloud had its silver lining… and every silver lining had its dark cloud. For more
than a hundred years, critics have been ripping the business strategies that allowed big industrialists to build powerful monopolies—but those much-maligned
monopolies brought desperately needed order to America's immature economic system. Many have also long resented the immense fortunes of personal wealth that
a handful of big businessmen were able to acquire—but that wealth paid for a huge surge in philanthropy, building hundreds of libraries, schools, museums, and
other public facilities still enjoyed by the American people even today. Reformers decried the way urban politicians turned corruption into a way of life—but those
same crooked politicians also provided vital services to working-class and immigrant neighborhoods. The Gilded Age was a dynamic age of incredible economic
opportunity, just as it was a harsh era of incredible economic exploitation. Any version of this tale that includes only the exploitation but not the dynamism—or vice
versa—is missing half the story. ([Link])
How did the Gilded Age differ from the era of Reconstruction?
Why did Mark Twain call this era “gilded?”
Section 2 Guided Reading, pp 380-391
The Presidents of the Gilded Age are often called the “Forgettables.” This string of single term presidents begins with Hayes and ends with Cleveland (who served
two inconsecutive terms. McKinley is sometimes included in this era as is Grant, but… Grant is more significant to Reconstruction era and McKinley to Imperialism,
many historians assert. These presidents were more “administrators” than “leaders.”
1. Politics of the Gilded Age, pp 380-385
Key Concepts &
Main Ideas Notes Analysis
The “Gilded Age” Politics of the Gilded Age… Explain the key issue dividing Mugwumps,
witnessed new Halfbreeds, and Stalwarts.
cultural and
intellectual
movements in
tandem with
Causes of Stalemate…
political debates
over economic and 1)
social policies. List three similarities between Antebellum Era
2) Democrats and Gilded Age Democrats:
Gilded Age politics
were intimately tied Belief in Limited Government… 1)
to big business
2)
and focused
nationally on 3)
economic issues — Campaign Strategy…
tariffs, currency,
corporate List three similarities between Antebellum Era
expansion, and Republicans (you may include the Whigs in this
laissez-faire comparison) and Gilded Age Republicans:
economic policy
— that engendered 1)
numerous calls for
Republicans… 2)
reform.
3)
* One scandal not How was the Antebellum Two Party System
outlined in your book different from the Gilded Age Two Party system?
(during the Grant years)
is the Indian Ring.
Belknap, Secretary of Democrats…
War, was forced to
resign after taking bribes
from suppliers to Indian
reservations… was *Turn back to page 300 and re-read the section
impeached and removed on Greed and Corruption during the Grant years.
by Congress after he Then, define the following:
resigned (resigned to
avoid it but they did it
Fisk & Gould scandal:
anyway). Party Patronage…
Credit Mobilier affair:
Whiskey Ring:
Presidential Politics…
Rutherford B. Hayes…
Tweed Ring:
REMEMBER…As you read the chapter, jot down your notes in the middle column. Consider your notes to be elaborations on the Objectives and
Main Ideas presented in the left column and in the subtitles of the text. INCLUDE IN YOUR NOTES ALL SIGNIFICANT VOCABULARY AND PEOPLE. After
read and take notes, thoughtfully, analyze what you read by answering the questions in the right column. Remember this step is essential to your
processing of information. Completing this guide thoughtfully will increase your retention as well as your comprehension!
Politics in the Gilded Age Continued…
Key Concepts and
Main Ideas Notes Analysis
James. Garfield… How did the role of government change
during Garfield, Arthur, and Cleveland’s
terms in office?
Chester A. Arthur…
Pendleton Act (p.384)…
The “Gilded Age”
witnessed new cultural
and intellectual Explain how the issue of spoils or
movements in tandem patronage in the Gilded Age is similar to
with political debates Congressional Leaders… politics in the Jackson Era.
over economic and social
policies.
Gilded Age politics were
intimately tied to big
business and focused
nationally on economic
issues — tariffs,
currency, corporate
expansion, and laissez- The Election of 1884…
faire economic policy — Which was more significant to Gilded
that engendered numerous Age political corruption, patronage or
calls for reform. the power of big business? Consider
your reading on both industrialization
and politics. Defend your answer with
specific evidence.
Cleveland’s First Term…
Interstate Commerce Act…
Dawes Act…
Issues: Civil Service, Currency, and Tariffs…
Civil Service Reform…
(during Arthur’s presidency… put notes on this topic under Arthur above)
Politics in the Gilded Age Continued…
Key Concepts and
Main Ideas Notes
Money Question…
The “Gilded Age”
witnessed new cultural
and intellectual
movements in tandem Debtors, farmers, and start-ups wanted…
with political debates
over economic and social
policies.
Gilded Age politics were
intimately tied to big Bankers, creditors, investors, and established businesses wanted…
business and focused
nationally on economic
issues — tariffs,
currency, corporate
expansion, and laissez-
faire economic policy —
that engendered numerous
calls for reform. Greenback Party…
Demands for Silver Money…
Tariff issue…
2. Back to the Book…. The Growth of Discontent, 1888-1896, pp 385-388
Key Concepts
and Main Notes Analysis
Ideas
Benjamin Harrison was the grandson of
The “Gilded The Growth of Discontent, 1888-1896… William Henry Harrison (war hero; Battle of
Tippecanoe and president briefly in 1841). He
Age” witnessed defeated Cleveland, the sitting president,
new cultural although Cleveland had more popular votes.
and intellectual The main issue was the tariff. Harrison favored
movements in protective tariffs and Cleveland wanted them
Harrison and the Billion Dollar Congress… reduced, because he saw them as unfair taxes
tandem with on consumers. Identify a comparative context
political for this election.
debates over
economic and
social policies.
The Election of 1888…
The Growth of Discontent Continued…
Key Concepts
and Main Notes Analysis
Ideas
The “Gilded Billion Dollar Congress... Which action by the Billion Dollar
Age” witnessed Congress was the most impactful?
new cultural Explain and defend your answer with
and intellectual 1. The McKinley Tariff of 1890… specific evidence.
movements in
tandem with
political
debates over Note on McKinley Tariff:
economic and The Democrats had pledged to lower tariffs, and protested the McKinley Tariff… but by the time the Wilson-
Gorman Tariff of 1894 made it through Congress, it was so loaded with special-interest protection that it
social policies. hardly made a difference in the McKinley Tariff rates. Cleveland allowed the bill, but the Supreme Court,
much to the dismay of the Populists, struck down the income tax provision of the tariff.
2.
3. Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890…
Note on the Sherman Antitrust Act:
Despite being a step toward challenging trusts and protecting the free market, this act was largely
unsuccessful, because politicians were unwilling to truly challenge big business and the new law was used
more to thwart efforts of organized labor than to break up the power of the monopolies – trusts.
4. Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890…
Note on the Silver Purchase Act:
Although this was a victory for farmers and other debtors, it was unsuccessful because the increased supply
of silver reduced its value which resulted in the inability of miners to make a profit and leading thousands to Explain how the Populists illustrate the
exchange silver notes for gold notes which led to lack of gold supply. impact of industrialization and
urbanization. Defend your answer with
specific evidence.
5.
Return of the Democrats…
Rise of the Populists…
Omaha Platform…
The Growth of Discontent Continued…
Key Concepts
and Main Notes Analysis
Ideas
The Election of 1892… Compare the Wilson-Gorman Tariff of 1894 to the McKinley Tariff
of 1890. What is significant about this comparison in terms of
politics?
Deja vu
The “Gilded Depression Politics…
Age” witnessed
new cultural Panic of 1893…
and intellectual Were William H. Harvey’s views more consistent with Jacksonian
movements in Democrats or Lincoln Republicans? Explain your answer.
tandem with
political
debates over
economic and
social policies. Gold Reserve and Tariff…
Gilded Age Presidents did not assess the government in the same
way populists and progressives did. How does this event,
Jobless on the March… “Coxey’s Army,” illustrate a turning point in American politics?
5. Turning Point in American Politics: 1896, pp388-390
Key Concepts and Main Ideas
Notes
The “Gilded Age” witnessed Turning Point in American Politics: 1896…
new cultural and intellectual
movements in tandem with
political debates over
economic and social The Election of 1896…
policies.
Bryan, Democrats, and Populists…
McKinley, Hanna, and Republicans…
Key Concepts and Main Ideas
Notes
The “Gilded Age” witnessed McKinley’s Presidency…
new cultural and intellectual
movements in tandem with
political debates over
economic and social
policies.
Significance of the Election of 1896… Populist Demise… Urban Dominance… Beginning of Modern Politics…
EXPLAIN THOROUGHLY…
6. Historical Perspectives: Who Were The Populists? Page 391
To what extent was the Populist movement a practical, liberal To what extent was the Populist movement a romantic, idealistic
response to the political and economic problems of the Gilded response to the changes in American culture and economy during the
Age? Gilded Age?
Evidence for Populists as Realistic: Evidence for Populists as Idealistic:
“There is indeed much that is good and usable in our Populist past… Populism was the first modern political movement of practical importance in the
United States to insist that the federal government has some responsibility for the common weal. … Populists… bypassed and humiliated by the advance
of industrialism… were rebelling against the domination of the country by industrial and financial capitalists… They sought to restore the conditions
prevailing before the development of industrialism and the commercialization of agriculture.”
Richard Hofstadter, The Age of Reform from Bryan to F.D.R., 1955
“…Populism was indeed a response to the times, but it was also something more. It was an attempt to transcend those times and, in the act of
transcending the existing social context, to pose an alternative conception for the development of America… Thus, Populists contended, government
must be a responsive tool, one which can actively intervene in the economy to regulate matters affecting the public interest, and when necessary own
outright monopolies of this character, and can just as actively aid the underprivileged and work for a more equitable distribution of wealth.”
Norman Pollack, The Populist Mind, 1967
The essential difference between these two viewpoints is: