Changes In The Gilded Age

In the years following the end of the Civil War and the-turn-of-the-century saw massive changes in economic and social conditions, which called for attention of the political. In the decade before the Civil War, the realignment of politics along with requirements of political reconstruction, moreover, left the political parties and Congress occupied with issues that did not necessarily pertain to the daily dealings of the working class. An immense mainstream of the national leadership could be considered as political second-rates. Many political machines made good use of their financial authority to buy their way into governorships and the United States Senate. In the years of the Gilded Age, 1876-1900, Congress was noted for being disorderly …show more content…
The Republican Party took the lead in national politics due to their claim that it was the Democratic party who had prompted the Civil War. In the years of 1860 from Abraham Lincoln election until 1933 the election of Franklin Roosevelt the Republican presidents dominated the White House. Republicans were noted for waving the “Bloody Shirt” symbolizing the blood that was shed over the succession which they held the Democrats accountable for this act. The Republicans supported protective tariffs, transportation improvements, and tight money policies. Republicans were divided into two groups, the Stalwarts, and the Half-Breeds. Although the two groups despised each other their perspective did not differ; their common goal was political power. The Democrats controlled most of the southern states in 1900 but had trouble electing a candidate to the White House. The Democrats knew that they could not win the national office with a Civil War Confederate veteran. The only Democrat president-elect during 1860 and 1900 was Grover Cleveland, who was elected twice, in 1884 and 1892; he was the only American president with split terms. A limited number of Anti-tariffs businessmen, along with merchants and other business people were Democrats. The politics of business was a key factor to both political parties. New York City’s Tammany Hall, the Democratic political machine played an active role during the Gilded Age. This political machine worked hard to help the city’s poor and immigrants. William Tweed who was the leader of the Tammany Hall had an abrasive leadership, which emphasized manipulation and undercut trust. Tweed helped shape the Gilded Age but frauded New York City out of millions of dollars. Prior to the Civil War, the sectionalism that had been prevalent was still