Agenda 11.15.17 As you walk in, please turn in your Jacob Riis Photo Analysis. Bell Ringer: What is corruption? Can you think of any examples of corruption in recent years? Notes: Chapter 7, Section 3 Politics in Cities Essential Question: Who was Boss Tweed and how did he add to the mistrust of politicians?
Politics in cities Chapter 7, Section 3
Political machines Organized group that controls city’s political parties Give service to voters, businesses for political and financial support Machine organization Precinct captains, ward bosses, city boss
Organization of political machine City Boss Ward Boss Boss: controlled jobs, business licenses, influenced the court system Precinct captains: often 1st or 2nd generation immigrants; helped immigrants with naturalization, jobs, and housing in exchange for votes Local Precinct Workers + Captains Immigrants + Working Class
Political boss Whether or not he serves as mayor, he: Controls city jobs, business licenses Influenced courts and other municipal agencies Arranged building projects and community services Bosses were paid by business to get voters’ loyalty and extend their influence
Many political bosses were corrupt
graft Many bosses got rich through graft – the illegal use of political influence for personal gain To win elections, some filled the list of eligible voters with the names of their dogs, children, and the deceased, or even paying people to vote
Patronage v. civil service The giving of government jobs to people who helped a candidate get elected Also known as the spoils system Remember Andrew Jackson? Those same jobs should go to the most qualified individuals Hays – attempts to make changes but not successful, does not run for re-election Garfield-Arthur
Pendleton Civil Service Act Ended patronage Requires written test for governmental jobs Bi-partisan civil service commission Awards jobs based on merit, not connections
William “boss” Tweed Corrupt political leader put NYC in debt 1851 – elected to city council 1852 – served in Congress Kept Democratic Party in power in NYC Tammany Hall Tweed Ring Bought votes, encouraged corruption, controlled NYC politics Tammany Hall – NYC’s most powerful Democratic machine Between 1869-1871, Tweed led the Tweed Ring, a group of corrupt politicians, in defrauding the city Tweed was indicted on 120 counts of fraud and extortion, sentenced to 12 years in prison, released after one, arrested again, escaped to Spain
William “Boss” Tweed Exposed for his corruption by cartoonist and editor Thomas Nast Tweed Ring fell, and in 1873, Tweed was convicted of embezzlement Later, Tweed was arrested on a civil charge and jailed in NYC, later died there
boss tweed
Your task Analyze the political cartoon using the cartoon analysis worksheet Read the article about Boss Tweed and answer the questions listed at the bottom on the back of the sheet You must do all 3 questions Once you’ve done this, make sure to go back and answer the essential question from your notes