Essay about Politicians Of The Gilded Age - 870 Words

Politicians during this time period worried more about ensuring their own financial success, securing votes by any means, granting jobs or favors in return for votes, and remaining popular. They were not concerned with social issues, but supported or crushed these issues in accordance with the decision that would benefit them personally. If politicians were judged to be good personally, they were automatically viewed as good politically. Changes were made for personal benefit, not the good of the community. Read political ideologies were not central to this time period. Use specific people mentioned in Chapter 19 to validate or invalidate this statement. *** As stated by Henry Adams, the Gilded Age which occurred through†¦show more content†¦Conkling followed nothing of this sort. In fact, in more than two decades in Congress, he never drafted one bill. Instead, Conkling distributed very profitable jobs at the New York customhouse and spent most of his career as senator by rewarding his party who stayed faithful with government jobs. Conklings actions show the changes made only for personal benefit of this time period because instead of during what was needed for the nation, he responded with actions that would help out himself with more votes and by helping out only his friends. The second of the two senators was a senator named James G. Blaine. Blaine was a Republican senator from Maine during this same time period. Despite his corrupt actions, Blaine was probably the most popular Republican politician of the era. Charming, intelligent, witty, and able, he served twice as secretary of state and was a serious contender for the presidency in every election from 1876 to 1892. Blaine was a corrupt politician though. After being paid off by favors to railroads in return for money, Blaine lied to the public denying that it ever happened. Soon after, the public soon found out the truth. Blaines corruption came back to him in 1884 when he tried to run for president. Overcome with anger towards him, Democrats would often rally: Blaine! Blaine! James G. Blaine! / Continental liar from the state the Maine! This kind of corruption shows how politicians were more worried about ensuring their own financialShow MoreRelatedPolitical Corruption Has A Lasting Impression On New York City1319 Words   |  6 Pageslead to political activism by the city’s people looking for change. The most important aspect in understanding political corruption in New York City during the Gilded Age would have to be identifying how these officials were able to come into power and gain support. In the book, Party Games: Getting, Keeping, and Using Power in Gilded Age Politics, the author Mark Summers has examined just that. The tactics and approaches to government and interaction with New York City citizens were something thatRead MoreThe Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World1417 Words   |  6 PagesBartholdi†. (Edwards 90.) It is important to note that gift was not from the French government. It was a gesture of friendship from its citizens and I feel symbolized the stature, in France’s eyes, that America had achieved in the world during the Gilded Age. The Harper’s article discusses the dedication on October 28, 1886 of the statue of â€Å"Liberty Enlightening the World†. The article uses the dedication to reflect on the relationship between th e countries of France and the United States. Harper’sRead MoreExtent to which the Republican Party Liberalized1502 Words   |  6 PagesA. Plan of Investigation The Progressive Era was a time characterized by a multitude of reactions to the inherent problems in American society and politics. 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And eve n though the vast majority of the American people, do not have much confidence in the current crop of political representatives in Washington DC, there is no real punishment or consequences, for the most part, facing these politicians, therefore theyRead MoreAnalysis Of The Gilded Age And Progressive Era1108 Words   |  5 PagesAnalysis of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era Throughout the history of time, people named certain time periods based on the events that occurred. People considered the time from the 1890s to 1916 as a shift of the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era when many things changed dramatically. The â€Å"Gilded Age† was the time of innovation, invention, and rapid growth, but the presence of monopolies sprouted everywhere in American’s economy and led to social inequalities. Then the Progressive Era responded