Politics of the Gilded Age 1876-1896
Electoral Woes, Assassination and Congressional Supremacy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li4l6NsuRE4

The Presidency was at an all-time low in power and influence, and the Congress was rife with corruption. State and city leaders shared in the graft, and the public was kept largely unaware. Much like in the colonial days, Americans were not taking their orders from the top; rather, they were building a new society from its foundation.

The Gilded Age (1877 – 1900) was defined by industrialization, urbanization, and the commercialization of agriculture. Inevitably, the turbulence of the era made for a dynamic political climate, as illustrated by the fact that…

Q? What was politics like in the Gilded Age?

Presidential contest get an average voter turnout of about 80% Compared to today…   

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781453.html

Party Politics During the Gilded Age

There were several issues and interests fighting to become a part of the national landscape brewing  “Under the surface” - labor problems; immigration concerns, prohibition and monetary issues

Issues in Congress during the Gilded Age
The story of interests and concerns percolating to the surface