The Key Political Issues

ASU HST 200 (Historical Themes) Politics in the Gilded Age 1870-1900 The Key Political Issues: Patronage, Tariffs, and Gold Despite the fact that Hayes' dubious ascent to the president did not bring about political corruption in the nation's capital, it did pave the way for agendas driven by politics and pervasive inefficiencies in the White House over the course of the following 24 years. After one weak president after another assumed office, and as was already noted, not a single incumbent was reelected. It seems that the public preferred the devil they were unaware of to the one they were aware of. Presidents hardly had the authority to pay back the political favors they owed to those who made sure they won by the slimmest of margins in various towns and areas around the nation. During their four years in government, they mostly focused on maintaining the strong connections that got them into the White House and returning favors. For the most part, ordinary Americans were left on their own. During this period, the nation's monetary system, tariffs, and patronage were some of the few political concerns that presidents consistently addressed. Patronage, tariffs, and the gold standard were just a few of the complicated concerns that shaped politics throughout the Gilded Age, which ran from 1870 to 1900. Rutherford B. Hayes took office amid controversial circumstances at the start of the era, setting the precedent for later administrations characterized by incompetence and political scheming. Although Hayes's contentious election did not directly cause widespread corruption in Washington, it did set the stage for a political environment characterized by cronyism and backroom transactions. A string of unimpressive presidents held the office of President for the following twenty-four years, none of them succeeded in winning reelection. The public's discontent with the political elite was mirrored in this instability, as every new administration appeared to be caught up in the same cycle of favoritism and corruption. These presidents were more concerned with paying off political debt and clinging to power than they were with attending to the interests of regular Americans. The country struggled with a number of important political issues during this time, including tariffs, patronage, and the monetary system. Particularly, the country's monetary system became divisive as it discussed whether to implement a bimetallic system or stick to the gold standard. A currency backed by gold is stable and reliable, according to proponents of the gold standard, and bimetallism supporters think that by expanding the money supply, it would spur economic growth. Throughout the Gilded Age, this discussion over monetary policy would continue, influencing both internal and international economic policy. During this period, tariffs also became a major political issue. Protectionist tariffs were put in place to protect home businesses from overseas competition and to bring in money for the federal government. But because they disproportionately benefitted some businesses while raising the cost of imported goods, these tariffs frequently caused controversy. In the tariff dispute, producers' interests were placed against consumers', and policymakers had to strike a careful balance between defending US industry and preserving access to international markets. In the meantime, the spoils system was still widely used by politicians in America to provide government contracts and jobs to their devoted followers. As a result of this system of political patronage, which encouraged cronyism and corruption, elected officials put personal gain ahead of the general welfare. Patronage continued throughout the Gilded Age despite attempts to reform the civil service and reduce it, which weakened public confidence in governmental institutions. All things considered, the Gilded Age's politics were marked by a combination of incompetence, corruption, and heated arguments over important topics like tariffs, favoritism, and the monetary system. Notwithstanding the difficulties of the time, it shaped the course of American politics into the 20th century and set the foundation for upcoming changes and advancements.