1. Progressive Era Age of Reform

2. What we Know 1. Gov’t should be accountable to citizens 2. Gov’t should limit the power of the wealthy 3. Gov’t should actively improve the lives of citizens 4. Gov’t should not be corrupt

3. Background  The late 1800 were a time of contrast in American.  Great wealth created through business ventures existed alongside poverty.  In politics money led to corruption and dishonesty.

4. Great Wealth  Rockefeller-Oil  Carnegie-Steel

5. Poverty  Tenements gave Rise to slums

6. 4. Government Should not be Corrupt  Problem: Rapid growing cities were difficult to govern  Improve police protect  Increase Firefighters  Improve transportation system  Improve municipal services  Solution: Raise taxes and set up social service offices

7. Progressive Goal: Gov’t should not be corrupt  Political machine: Born out of the clashing of the upper and middle class Unofficial city organization designed to keep a group in power-headed by a “boss” Unofficial city organization designed to keep a group in power-headed by a “boss” Favors traded for votes Individuals/Companies wanting a favor from the city would get it by Paying $ to the machine

8. Blame????  Many people blamed immigrants  Politicians/machine took advantage of uneducated and unfamiliar with democracy

9. Political Machines I don't care who does the electing, so long as I get to do the nominating. Boss Tweed The Brains Political Cartoon by Thomas Nast A Harper's Weekly political cartoon lampoons the corrupt New York administration led by "Boss" Tweed and the Tammany Society. Image: © CORBIS Creator Name: Thomas Nast Date Created: 1871

11. 11 Political Machines Basics: What? Why? Political parties that controlled local and state government in late 1800s Cities were growing fast! City government disorganized with few reliable services (police, fire, welfare) Immigrants wanted protection, help A political cartoon lampoons the corrupt administration in New York, New York, led by "Boss" Tweed and the "Tammany Society." Ca. 1871. Image: © CORBIS Creator Name: Thomas Nast Date Created: ca. 1871

12. 12 Political Machines Basics: Where? Who? Most large cities Political bosses helped their people get elected in return for jobs, city contracts Ex. NY (Tammany Hall) Ex. Boss Tweed (Tammany Hall) pocked around $200 million of public funds Can The Law Reach Him? The Dwarf and the Thief by Thomas Nast (Corbis.com)

13. 13 Political Machines Basics: How? = Corruption Traded favors for votes Voting fraud Bribes Kickbacks Ex. Immigrants were met at Ellis Island, shown where to get housing, jobs, and helped to become naturalized citizens (who could vote!) Political Button Image: © William Whitehurst/CORBIS Photographer: William Whitehurst Date Photographed: June 30, 2003

14. Boss Tweed  Controlled Tammany Hall  Access to NYC treasury  Brought down by political cartoons  Convicted of crimes  Poster boy for Corruption

15. 15 Graft Graft:Graft: The use of power/position inappropriately for gain Honest Graft: Take advantage of the system (opportunities) Dishonest Graft: Take advantage of people (Victimization) Use of force, blackmail, gambling

16. 16 Not really - Tweed brough down when public opinion went against him Things changed when the NY Times published expose & the public got interested in reforming politics Political Machines Still around? Warrant for William M. Tweed Original caption: Warrant for the apprehension of William M. Tweed after his escape from N.Y. City jail, December 4, 1875. Image: © Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: December 4, 1875