- Was the Gilded Age a golden age of American politics or a low point? Explain.
- Were the Populists successful? Why or why not?
- Describe the major similarities and differences between the three political parties active in the Gilded Age?
- Describe the impact the spoils system/patronage had on American government.
- What event brought on civil service reform? Do you think the Pendleton Act went far enough to correct the problems of patronage? Why or why not?
- In what ways was laissez-faire ideology similar to Social Darwinism? In what ways was it different?