Politics During The Gilded Age

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During the Gilded Age, Americans focused more on politics and national elections during the post-Civil War. Each election had the potential to disrupt the peace between the North and the South. In the late nineteenth century, there were record numbers of voters for each presidential election. The increase in voter turnout was also due to the result of the machine party politics. Powerful, political “bosses” in each party persuaded the urban residents into voting for a favored candidate. The candidates would then give bribes back to the bosses in appreciation for helping them get elected. The money earned would be used to improve neighborhoods to ensure a steady flow of votes for their machines. Many politicians during the Gilded Age were