The document discusses the Gilded Age in America from 1873 to 1893, a period of immense industrial growth and wealth accumulation by prominent businessmen known as "robber barons", but also rampant political corruption. It describes how under the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant from 1869 to 1877, the national debt ballooned as the economy boomed but scandals like the Crédit Mobilier affair eroded trust in government. Political machines like New York's Tammany Hall, led by Boss Tweed, exploited loose regulations and used patronage systems to entrench corruption at the local level. Despite new prosperity, the rise of labor unions showed growing unrest with the lack of reforms during this era.

4. THE SPIRIT OF REFORM Corruption, Capital, and Progress1872-1920

5. 1873-1893: THE GILDED AGE Coined by Mark Twain in 1873: The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today Creation of a modern industrial economy Per capita incomes doubled Germany and France, 50% higher than Great Britain Opulence and philanthropy Ethnic diversity in the Northeast “Industrial towns”

6. 1873-1893: THE GILDED AGE Andrew Carnegie: “The Gospel of Wealth” Corporations(trusts) Rise of the “robber barons” John D. Rockefeller John Jacob Astor III Cornelius Vanderbilt Andrew W. Mellon Samuel Gompers, the AFL, and the birth of the labor movement

8. CORRUPTION IN POLITICS Tammany Hall: Best example of Gilded Age political corruption Led by William “Boss” Tweed Rise of machine politics: Grass roots origins Patronage and immigration Extralegal assistance Spoils system Party line vote The power of the ward boss

9. THE GRANT PRESIDENCY President from 1869-1877 Biggest challenge beyond reconstruction: huge national debt True believer in civil rights Gold, rails, and nepotism CréditMobilier Union Pacific’s shell company CréditMobiliertraded shares for land grants Distrust in government