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