Question

What were the major features of American politics during the Gilded Age?

Answer 1

Gilded Age politics were dominated by corruption, as politicians took bribes and rewarded their supporters with posh government jobs
Elections had high turnout and extraordinarily close results, but neither major party pursued ambitious policies
In the 1890s, frustrated farmers organized their own party, the Populists
In 1896, the Democrats co-opted much of the Populist agenda and the Populists supported Democrat William Jennings Bryan for the presidency; Bryan lost and the Populists faded away