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 and inefficient. The Senate subjugated the federal government during the Gilded Age years of 1876-1900. Wealthy businessmen and even political machines manipulated public officials at the local, state, and national level, resulting in the elections being manipulative. Neither Republicans nor Democrats were willing to take strong stands on issues that were important to voters.
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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 ongoing. The powerful national level public figures led to the domination of the political landscape. All of the presidents beginning with Abraham Lincoln’s term to Teddy Roosevelts were weak. All were more or less decent men, but notably, none of them were activists. The presidents along with their cabinet were pestered by job seekers and political machine operators seeking to collect on campaign promises made. Rutherford B. Hayes announced early that he would not be running for reelection, but his moral convictions led him to a fight against corruption. During the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, he became distressed and pleaded for someone to help the workers. However, when the strikes begin to turn violent, he ordered for troops to suppress the riots, which resulted in a multitude of worker deaths. His actions caused one to believe that he sided with business interest against working men, but in actuality, his goal was to restore law and order, which eventually became into effect by the troops. James A Garfield was elected as to Congress as Republican in 1862. Garfield served in the House for nine consecutive terms. He initially sided with the Republican Radicals, but later became more moderate. Thus, he was elected to Senate in 1880. Garfield's tenure was brief because he was assassinated in 1881. He did not have time to implement his plan but his inaugural address signified a promising tenure in office. Garfield addressed the aftermath
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 ongoing. The powerful national level public figures led to the domination of the political landscape. All of the presidents beginning with Abraham Lincoln’s term to Teddy Roosevelts were weak. All were more or less decent men, but notably, none of them were activists. The presidents along with their cabinet were pestered by job seekers and political machine operators seeking to collect on campaign promises made. Rutherford B. Hayes announced early that he would not be running for reelection, but his moral convictions led him to a fight against corruption. During the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, he became distressed and pleaded for someone to help the workers. However, when the strikes begin to turn violent, he ordered for troops to suppress the riots, which resulted in a multitude of worker deaths. His actions caused one to believe that he sided with business interest against working men, but in actuality, his goal was to restore law and order, which eventually became into effect by the troops. James A Garfield was elected as to Congress as Republican in 1862. Garfield served in the House for nine consecutive terms. He initially sided with the Republican Radicals, but later became more moderate. Thus, he was elected to Senate in 1880. Garfield's tenure was brief because he was assassinated in 1881. He did not have time to implement his plan but his inaugural address signified a promising tenure in office. Garfield addressed the aftermath