USIII Unit 4

Politics in the Gilded Age

Test: WEDNESDAY, November 17th

Format: Multiple Choice, Matching, Identification, T/F, essay

Unit Essential Question:

 How did rapid industrialization, urbanization, and change in demographics
change politics in the United States?

Lesson Key Questions:

 How did political machines emerge in the United States?
 Were political bosses corrupt?
 What was the role of new immigrants in the political process?
 How did corruption and illegal activities develop in many urban political
machines?
 What effect did Thomas Nast’s cartoons have on corruption at Tammany
Hall?
 What triggered the need for political reform? How did this desire change the
Republican party?
 How was reforming the civil service system a way of restoring government
during the Gilded Age?
 How did subsequent Presidents in the 19th century reform policies?
 What factors lead to economic hardships for farmers?
 What was the platform and purpose of the Populist party? Why and how did
the party attract millions of supporters?
 How did silver affect the economy and the 1896 presidential election ?

Terms:
Political machines Sherman Silver Purpose Act
Political bosses Populist Party
Graft James B. Weaver
Kickbacks William Jennings Bryant
William Marcy Tweed National Grange
Thomas Nast Sourcing
Tammany Contextualization
Stalwarts Corroboration
Pendelton Civil Service Act
Credit Mobilier Presidents:
Mugwumps Garfield
Cooperatives Arthur
Graduated income tax Cleveland
Gold standard Harrison
Interstate Commerce Act McKinley
Bland Allison Act