1 Urbanization and Machine Politics in the Late 19th Century

2 Machine Politics Machine politics surreptitiously controlled every urban center of the late 19th century. Machine politics surreptitiously controlled every urban center of the late 19th century. Based on the traditional system of patronage and usually controlled by a boss, the driving force behind a political machine is the ability of elected public officials to do favors for constituents typically in the form of employment and contracts in exchange for votes. Based on the traditional system of patronage and usually controlled by a boss, the driving force behind a political machine is the ability of elected public officials to do favors for constituents typically in the form of employment and contracts in exchange for votes.

3 Election fraud was rampant and usually ordained by the bosses themselves. In fact, "Big Tim" Sullivan, a New York City ward boss who reportedly rewarded "repeat voters" by giving them a new pair of shoes was quoted as saying... " When you’ve voted ‘em with their whiskers on, you take ‘em to a barber and scrape off the chin fringe. Then you vote ‘em again… Then to a barber again, off comes the sides and you vote ‘em a third time with the mustache… [Then] clean off the mustache and vote ‘em plain face. That makes every one of ‘em for four votes.”

4 By far, Boss Tweed of Tammany Hall was the most notorious city boss of the era and of all American history for that matter. By far, Boss Tweed of Tammany Hall was the most notorious city boss of the era and of all American history for that matter. He is depicted in, literally, thousands of cartoons; most of which are concerned with his corruption and indulgence He is depicted in, literally, thousands of cartoons; most of which are concerned with his corruption and indulgence

5 The Haymarket Affaire The Haymarket Affair occurred on May 4, 1886 in Chicago Illinois, following days of labor mobilization and strikes. The Haymarket Affair occurred on May 4, 1886 in Chicago Illinois, following days of labor mobilization and strikes. On May 1, an organized strike and march in support of an eight-hour workday took place, over the next 2 days the strike spread nationwide. On May 1, an organized strike and march in support of an eight-hour workday took place, over the next 2 days the strike spread nationwide. On May 3, a fight broke out among some strikers and the Chicago police interceded killing two laborers and inciting fury. On May 3, a fight broke out among some strikers and the Chicago police interceded killing two laborers and inciting fury. Local anarchists issued posters calling for a rally at the Haymarket to take action against the injustice. Local anarchists issued posters calling for a rally at the Haymarket to take action against the injustice.

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7 Mass Transportation The rise of mass transportation in the cities allowed people to have greater control over where they lived, within the city and in the growing suburbs. The rise of mass transportation in the cities allowed people to have greater control over where they lived, within the city and in the growing suburbs. Cities began to grow out along transit lines causing a greater rift between where the rich and poor lived. Cities began to grow out along transit lines causing a greater rift between where the rich and poor lived. Also, ethnic groups, despite profession, could now live in closer proximity to those more like themselves giving rise to the ethnic communities so often associated with big city living. Also, ethnic groups, despite profession, could now live in closer proximity to those more like themselves giving rise to the ethnic communities so often associated with big city living.

8 The excerpt from Scientific American explains how the new subway systems actually work and provides a detailed description of their appearance. “One of the most powerful factors in the evolution of cities, and one of the most interesting topics of the day, is rapid transit. It affects not only the health and comfort of all citizens, but the very existence and prosperity of cities themselves. Although much has been written about it, the last word has not been said. Modern inventions do not change human nature, but they do change human affairs”

9 The Great Chicago Fire The city of Chicago caught fire on October 8, 1871 and burned for nearly three days before it was contained and extinguished. Fire was a common threat to nineteenth century cities that had little means to combat them. The fire nearly destroyed the city, but brought the people of Chicago to each other’s aide at a previously unprecedented rate and the recovery of the city played a considerable role in catapulting Chicago to the forefront as an industrial city.

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11 Statistics on the Population The late 19th century saw an influx of immigrants and a move to the cities, both because of perceived opportunity and the growing industrial sector. The late 19th century saw an influx of immigrants and a move to the cities, both because of perceived opportunity and the growing industrial sector.

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13 Immigrant Experience: Ethnic Communities The United States was essentially flooded with immigrants at the end of the 19th century. The United States was essentially flooded with immigrants at the end of the 19th century. Many of these men, women, and children had never been to America before, were unaccustomed to the traditions, and new relatively no one in their mythical adopted home. Many of these men, women, and children had never been to America before, were unaccustomed to the traditions, and new relatively no one in their mythical adopted home. For this reason, they tended to gravitate towards others from the same country or region. For this reason, they tended to gravitate towards others from the same country or region.

14Orphans As the rural poor and immigrants flooded cities in search of employment, many children were orphaned when their parents died due to the horrible living conditions or abondoned when they simply could not support them any longer. As the rural poor and immigrants flooded cities in search of employment, many children were orphaned when their parents died due to the horrible living conditions or abondoned when they simply could not support them any longer. The Children’s Aid Society was established in 1853 in New York City to care for the indigent youth and many cities followed suit with similar institutions. The Children’s Aid Society was established in 1853 in New York City to care for the indigent youth and many cities followed suit with similar institutions. The same year saw the beginnings of the Orphan Train Movement that moved children, whose parents had died, from East Coast cities westward where they found families and often times work. The same year saw the beginnings of the Orphan Train Movement that moved children, whose parents had died, from East Coast cities westward where they found families and often times work.

15 "An Act to Provide for the Adoption of Children" gives an example of the legislation adopted around the country concerned with the care of indigent children. “Sect. 2. if neither parent be living, such consent may be given by the legal guardian of such child; if there be no legal guardian, no father nor mother, the next of kin of such child within the State may give such consent; and if there be no such next of kin, the judge of probate may appoint some discreet and suitable person to act in the proceedings as the next friend of such child, and give or withhold such consent.”