Political Boss William Tweed led a ring of corruption, defrauding New York City of more than 100 million dollars.
Mark Twain wrote The Gilded Age. The Novel captured the era's greed and political corruption.
James Garfield won the presidency. He thought that government jobs should be awarded on basis of merits.
President Garfield is assassinated. Chester A. Arthur serves as the new president.
Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. It barred Chinese immigration for ten years.
Pendleton Act is passed. It created the Civil Service Commission to conduct exams for federal jobs.
Sherman Antitrust Act is passed.The act prohibited businesses from trying to limit or destroy competition.
Upton Sinclair wrote The Jungle. It portrayed the the horrid working conditions and unsanitary practices of meatpackers.
Congress approved the 16th Amendment. It allowed Congress to pass an income tax.
Congress approved the 17th Amendment. It allowed voters to elect senators directly. With it, Progressives wanted to put an end to the corruption of the period