During the Gilded Age, politics was typically driven by the motivations and will of business interests over that of the peoples. This led to large amounts of graft, corruption and political pandering to the most wealthy Americans. This system created a more inverted political power system. What was a consequence of the Gilded Age political system? The Legislative branch only took up bills and laws supported by a more powerful presidency that was backed by business interests. This allowed for the executive branch to rule more like a dictator than a president. Presidents found their political power greatly weakened, and without a clear popular mandate, they feared venturing far from the traditional interests of their supporters. Americans lost all faith in the federal government and turned to local political structures that would secure democratic values and ideas. Since there was little corruption at the local government level, cities were more efficiently and effectively ran. Business owners found themselves needing broad public support to push political changes that would benefit them. Thus they opened up large public charities to gain public buyin to their political agendas.

During the Gilded Age, politics was typically driven by the motivations and will of business interests over that of the peoples. This led to large amounts of graft, corruption and political pandering to the most wealthy Americans. This system created a more inverted political power system. What was a consequence of the Gilded Age political system? The Legislative branch only took up bills and laws supported by a more powerful presidency that was backed by business interests. This allowed for the executive branch to rule more like a dictator than a president. Presidents found their political power greatly weakened, and without a clear popular mandate, they feared venturing far from the traditional interests of their supporters. Americans lost all faith in the federal government and turned to local political structures that would secure democratic values and ideas. Since there was little corruption at the local government level, cities were more efficiently and effectively ran. Business owners found themselves needing broad public support to push political changes that would benefit them. Thus they opened up large public charities to gain public buyin to their political agendas.