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Politics of the Gilded Age

Unit 7 - New South, Last West, Industrialization RUSH Mrs. Baker. Politics of the Gilded Age. Objective. Explain the role of political machines and political bosses. Political Machines. Organized group that controlled the activities of a political party in a city. Goal =

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Politics of the Gilded Age

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  1. Unit 7 - New South, Last West, Industrialization RUSH Mrs. Baker Politics of the Gilded Age

  2. Objective Explain the role of political machines and political bosses.

  3. Political Machines • Organized group that controlled the activities of a political party in a city. • Goal = • To ensure that their candidate wins the election • City government worked to their advantage

  4. Role of the Political Boss • The “Boss” is typically the mayor • Controlled access to municipal jobs and business licenses • Influenced the courts and other municipal agencies • Build parks, sewer systems and waterworks • Gave money to schools, hospitals and orphanages • Solve urban problems • Found and assessed the needs of immigrants in the cities and create solutions. Boss Tweed ran NYC

  5. Municipal Graft and Scandal • Some political bosses were corrupt and their political machines practiced election fraud. • Used fake names and voting multiple times to ensure victory. • Bribes were common and construction contracts often resulted in kick-backs. • Because the police were hired by the boss, there was no close scrutiny.

  6. William M. Tweed“Boss” Tweed • Tammany Hall, New York City • Powerful Democratic political machine • 1869 – 1871 • Corrupt politicians who defrauded the city of nearly $200 million.

  7. The Tweed Ring Scandal • Tammany Hall • NYC’s powerful Democratic political machine. • Between 1869-1871, he led the Tweed Ring of corrupt politicians in defrauding the city. • Convicted of 120 counts of fraud & extortion • he was sentenced to 12 years in jail, but released after one. • Rearrested, but he escaped to Spain before returning to jail.

  8. Political Cartoon Analysis of Political Machines

  9. Summary Activity Analyzing the Impact of Political Actions during the Gilded Age

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