Politics in the Gilded AgeUnit 6- Immigration and Urbanization

I. Political Machine- organized group that offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for political or financial supportControlled political activities in a city

The Political Machine

Local precinct workers and captains

Ward bosses

City Boss

Tried to get votes in each block or neighborhood

Responsible for an electoral district (multiple neighborhoods)

Controlled politics/functions of city

A. The Boss:1. Controlled who got jobs2. Influenced judges3. Helped immigrants4. Built parks and school for voter loyalty

The Boss/Political Machine

City-dwellers/Immigrants

Jobs & Services

Votes

II. Boss Tweed- Head of NYC’s Democratic political machineTammany Hall

III. Corruption and the MachineA. Patronage- the giving of government

jobs to people who helped a candidate get elected

B. Graft- the illegal use of political influence for personal gain