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The Gilded Age

The Gilded Age political machine exemplified a system where voters and businesses received services like jobs, contracts, and social aid in exchange for political backing. Dominated by figures like City Boss William M. Tweed of Tammany Hall, these machines influenced local politics, controlled city jobs, and engaged in widespread corruption, including voting fraud and graft. Notable reforms, such as the Pendleton Civil Service Act, emerged to mitigate corruption and promote fair hiring practices in government, showcasing the era's complex relationship between power and reform.

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The Gilded Age

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  1. The Gilded Age

  2. Political Machine • Offers services to voters and businesses in exchange for political or financial support • Ex. Jobs, contracts, social services, community centers • City Boss: controlled city jobs, influenced courts, built parks, sewers, distributed money to schools, hospitals, etc.

  3. How Political Machines Worked Top: City Boss (Boss Tweed)-> controlled the machine Middle: Ward Boss-> all precincts in district wide voting Bottom: Party loyalists (precinct workers)-> gain voter’s support in precinct

  4. City Bosses • Fraud • Making up names of voters • Graft: illegal use of political influence for personal gain • Kickbacks, bribes, illegal activities • Boss Tweed: William M Tweed, leader of New York City’s powerful Democratic political machine; Tammany Hall • Led large group of corrupt politicians • Large kickbacks on courthouse • Thomas Nast made public aware with political cartoons

  5. Corruption at the National Level • Patronage: giving government jobs to people who helped get a candidate elected • Also known as the spoils system • Not everyone was qualified • Could be used for personal gain • Reform took place under presidents, Hayes, Garfield, and Arthur • Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883: created bipartisan committee to appoint federal employees

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