Gilded Age Politics: Corruption Marring Congress - Essay Sample

Directions: Please answer each of the following questions thoroughly and concisely as possible. Your response (s) should only be based on the video(s) viewed. Each question is worth 5 points.

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What was the central theme or message of the presentation?

The central message of the presentation was the politics of the gilded age, which was marred by the corruption that tainted the image of Congress and the Presidency. John Green, the presenter, also goes on to highlight the effects of corruption, including the suffering of farmers who united, formed the Grange Movement, which later evolved to the People’s Party (CrashCourse, 2013). The video also pointed out measures designed to put an end to corruption and inequality through the Civil Service Act of 1883 and the Sherman Anti-trust act of 1890 (CrashCourse, 2013).

How was the theme or message conveyed to the audience?

The theme of corruption was first conveyed using New York City’s Tammany Hall, a political machine whose aim was to influence elections to retain control over city contracts and jobs. Tammany Hall was involved in corruption, as highlighted by the construction of the courthouse for $13 million as opposed to the budgeted $ 250,000 (CrashCourse, 2013). Green also used corruption scandals such as the one involving Credit Mobilier. Credit Mobilier exaggerated the cost of construction to increase their profits made possible by bribing Congress. Another corruption scandal involved the Whiskey Ring who managed to evade tax by working with a Grant administration official, thereby incriminating the president.

What did you observe and/or hear that was significant to this week’s readings?

A significant takeaway from the video was how racism created disunity among Populist leaders. The Populist Party was formed to fight corruption and represent the interests of farmers. Since there were both black and white farmers, the party ought to have represented the interests of both races. However, working with African American farmers meant joining the fight against segregation. As a result, southern populists were not keen on fighting segregation, thus leading to a lack of unity in the party.

What information did you gain from the presentation that would not have been conveyed by the written source (this week’s readings)?

Key information from the presentation came from the mystery document. Green highlighted how people who helped win elections benefited. In what is referred to as honest graft, people were tipped of future government investments, in this case, laying out of a park (CrashCourse, 2013). People would then buy land around the proposed area, which would later be acquired by the government at a profit. This example of corruption showed how urban political machines benefited after helping certain parties win elections.

What questions still remain unanswered after the presentation?

One question that lingered after the presentation was, how did the Populist Party allow women to vote in the 1890s despite the constitution limiting this right? Did political parties have the power to enact laws that superseded the constitution?

Reference

CrashCourse (2013, Aug, 23). Gilded age politics: Crash course US history #26 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spgdy3HkcSs&feature=youtu.be