Political Corruption
What is graft?
The illegal use of political influence for personal gain
What is a monopoly?
A company that completely controls an industry, eliminating competition
He was the U.S. senator who introduced the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890?
John Sherman
What is a political machine?
An organization that controls a political party in a city and influences votes through favors or bribes.
Who was the Sherman Antitrust Act named after?
John Sherman
What was the Credit Mobilier scandal about?
A fake construction company that overcharged for railroad work and bribed Congress members
Which businessman were known for creating monopolies in oil?
John D. Rockefeller
This U.S. president was known as the “trust buster” for breaking up monopolies and enforcing the Sherman Antitrust Act?
Theodore Roosevelt
Who was the most famous political boss of New York City’s Tammany Hall?
Boss William Tweed (or Boss Tweed)
What year was the Sherman Antitrust Act passed?
1890
What was the Whiskey Ring scandal during Grant’s presidency?
Officials accepted bribes from whiskey distillers to avoid paying taxes
What is one way big businesses tried to get rid of their competition?
They lowered prices to drive smaller businesses out of the market (predatory pricing)
This author used satire in his book The Gilded Age to expose greed and corruption in American politics and busines?
Mark Twain
What was one way political machines gained support from immigrants?
They offered jobs, housing, and food in exchange for votes
What was the main goal of the Sherman Antitrust Act
To stop monopolies and keep the competition fair
What reform law was passed to stop patronage and require exams for government jobs?
The Pendleton Civil Service Act.
Why did many Americans dislike monopolies?
They made prices higher and hurt small businesses.
This U.S. president signed the Sherman Antitrust Act into law in 1890?
Benjamin Harrison
What was the name of the building in New York City that served as the headquarters for one of the most powerful political machines in U.S. history?
Tammany Hall
Why didn’t the law work well at first?
It was hard to enforce and not clearly written
Why was political corruption a major issue during the Gilded Age?
Rapid industrialization and weak government oversight allowed business and political leaders to abuse power.
What was the first major U.S. law that allowed the federal government to break up companies that limited competition?
The Sherman Antitrust Act
This reformer and cartoonist helped expose Boss Tweed and political corruption in New York City’s Tammany Hall?
Thomas Nast
How did political machines stay in power for so long?
By controlling city jobs, contracts, and votes through patronage and graft
What later law made the Sherman Act stronger?
The Clayton Antitrust Act