#AP US History: Gilded Age Review - The Ultimate Study Guide 🚀

Hey there, future AP US History master! Let's get you prepped and confident for the exam with this high-impact review of the Gilded Age. We'll break down the key concepts, make connections, and give you the tools you need to ace it. Let's dive in!

#1. Political Paralysis and Party Dynamics

The Gilded Age was marked by significant political gridlock, with the federal government often appearing inactive. This era saw intense party competition, but with limited legislative progress. Let's break down the key players:

#1.1. Republican Party

• “Waving the Bloody Shirt”: Republicans in the North used Civil War memories to rally support, reminding veterans of the Union that Southern Democrats caused their wounds and assassinated Lincoln.

* **Core Supporters**: Businessmen, the middle class, Anglo-Saxon Protestants, and those favoring temperance or prohibition.

#1.2. Democratic Party

• The Solid South: The Democratic Party dominated the former Confederate states until the mid-20th century.

* **Northern Strength**: Big city political machines and immigrant voters, often Catholics, Lutherans, and Jews who opposed prohibition.

#1.3. Patronage and Factions

• Stalwarts: Led by Roscoe Conkling, they controlled government job appointments in New York.

* **Halfbreeds**: Rivals led by James G. Blaine, also vying for patronage. * **Mugwumps**: Republicans who opposed the patronage system, seen as sitting on the fence.

#2. Presidential Politics of the Gilded Age

This era saw a series of presidents, each with their own challenges and accomplishments:

| | **Grover Cleveland** | Implemented the civil service system, vetoed fraudulent pension bills, recovered fraudulently occupied public lands, signed the Interstate Commerce Act (first federal business regulation), and the Dawes Act (reform for American Indians). |

#3. Civil Service Reform and Monetary Policy

#3.1. Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)

• Merit-Based System: Established the Civil Service Commission to administer competitive exams for government jobs.

* **Initial Impact**: Initially, it affected only 14,000 of 100,000 jobs, but it expanded over time.

#3.2. Monetary Policy Debates

• Greenback Party: Supported paper money not backed by specie (gold or silver), favored by farmers.

* **Silver Coinage**: Congress stopped coining silver, leading to demands for its reinstatement to expand the money supply. * **Bland-Allison Act**: A compromise that allowed limited silver coinage (2-4 million/month) at a 16:1 silver-to-gold ratio.

#4. The Billion-Dollar Congress and Populism

#4.1. Harrison's Presidency

• Active Congress: Republicans controlled the presidency and both houses of Congress, leading to a very active period of legislation.

* **McKinley Tariff Act**: Raised tariff duties to unprecedented levels (about 4%). * **Sherman Antitrust Act**: The first federal attempt to regulate big business by declaring trusts illegal. * **Sherman Silver Purchase Act**: Increased silver purchases, but did not satisfy silver supporters due to the demonetization of silver by other nations.

#4.2. The Rise of Populism

• Populist Party (People's Party): Formed from the Farmers' Alliance, advocating for significant political and economic reforms.

* **Omaha Platform**: Called for direct election of senators, initiatives and referendums, unlimited silver coinage, a graduated income tax, government ownership of railroads and communication systems, loans and federal warehouses for farmers, and an 8-hour workday. This is a critical platform to know; it encapsulates the Populist agenda. * **William Jennings Bryan**: Populist candidate in 1896, famous for his "Cross of Gold" speech.

#5. Economic Crisis and Urban Politics

#5.1. Panic of 1893

• Stock Market Crash: Triggered by the collapse of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, leading to a run on gold and a severe economic downturn.

* **Widespread Impact**: Bank failures, business closures, and massive unemployment (up to 15% of the labor force). * **Coxey's Army**: A protest march led by Jacob Coxey, demanding government jobs for the unemployed.

#5.2. Political Machines

• Urban Support: Political machines provided aid to poor immigrants in exchange for votes.

* **Services Provided**: Jobs, housing, food, community events, and contributions to local charities. * **Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall**: Infamous for corruption, but also provided essential services in New York City.

#Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

• The New York County Courthouse: A symbol of Tweed's corruption, with inflated costs reaching $13 million.

#6. Final Exam Focus

• High-Priority Topics: The rise of populism, monetary policy debates (gold vs. silver), the impact of industrialization and urbanization, and the role of political machines. These areas are frequently tested.
• Common Question Types: Multiple-choice questions on key legislation and political figures, short answer questions on the causes and effects of economic crises, and free response questions on the impact of industrialization and political reform.

* **Time Management**: Quickly identify the main point of each question and allocate your time effectively. Don't get bogged down on one question. * **Common Pitfalls**: Misinterpreting the nuances of monetary policy, overlooking the complexities of political machines, and failing to connect different themes. * **Strategies**: Use mnemonics and memory aids to quickly recall key information. Practice writing clear and concise responses.

#7. Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the platform of the Populist Party in the late 19th century? (A) Support for the gold standard and limited government regulation (B) Advocacy for the rights of industrialists and urban elites (C) Calls for the unlimited coinage of silver and government ownership of railroads (D) Promotion of laissez-faire economics and minimal taxation

2. The Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 was primarily designed to: (A) Expand the spoils system (B) Introduce merit-based appointments to government jobs (C) Increase the power of political machines (D) Reduce the number of government employees

3. What was a major cause of the Panic of 1893? (A) Increased government spending on infrastructure (B) Overproduction of agricultural goods (C) A stock market crash and a run on gold (D) The passage of the Sherman Antitrust Act

#Short Answer Question

Briefly explain the impact of political machines on urban areas during the Gilded Age. Include one positive and one negative consequence.

#Free Response Question

Analyze the extent to which the Gilded Age was a period of political paralysis. In your response, be sure to discuss both the limitations and the accomplishments of the federal government during this era.

Scoring Rubric:

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the extent of political paralysis.
• Argument Development (2 points): Provides evidence supporting the idea of political paralysis (e.g., party stalemates, limited legislative agenda).
• Counter Argument (2 points): Provides evidence of government action and accomplishments (e.g., Pendleton Act, Interstate Commerce Act).
• Synthesis (1 point): Connects the Gilded Age to broader themes of political reform or economic change.
• Evidence (1 point): Supports the argument with specific historical evidence.

You've got this! Remember, you're not just memorizing facts; you're understanding the story of the Gilded Age. Go get that 5! 🌟