1865-1900
Coined by Mark Twain
Shiny exterior to bad interior
Problems
Republicans are "waving the bloody shirt"
Reminder that Democrats started the Civil War
Dems wanted lower tariffs
Tariffs regulate trade
Raise revenue
Civil Service Reform
Grant has patronage/spoils system
"Era of Good Stealings"
Corruption
Grant reelected in 1872
Currency Reform
Greenbackers
Printed money will be backed by the Federal government
Inflation
Farmers, Workers, Debtors
Grover Cleveland
Enters White House a bachelor, has secretary
Rumors that he is sleeping with secretary
In fact, has illegitimate child with secretary's 18 y/o daughter
James G. Blaine
Attacks Cleveland in 1884
Personal attacks in politics
Samuel Tilden Dem vs. Hays Rep
Tilden ends corruption in New York City
Election very close, down to Florida
Elector calls in sick, gov. nominates new delegate, Hays wins
Hays compromises with Tilden on Civil Service Reform
This move splits republican party
Stalwarts, Traditional Republicans
Half-Breeds, Believe in reform
In election of 1880, Garfield runs
Shot 3 times in the back
VP is Chester A. Arthur
Garfield was Rep. Half-Breed, Arthur is Stalwart
Arthur is a known felon
Highly corrupt
Arthur cleans up and introduces the Pendleton act, which gives gov. jobs based on merit.
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