1. Politics in the Gilded Age
What contributes to the rise of the “political machine”?

2. The Political Machine
Political machines were groups of people who controlled a political party in a city, as cities grew pol machines gained more power
Pol machines made sure their candidate won elections and that elected official worked in the best interest of the pol machine
Machines were organized like a pyramid:
1) City boss who controlled the politicians
2) Ward bosses who ran sections of the city – reported to boss
3) Precinct captains & workers, who “got out the vote” in part of ward

3. How the Political Machine Works
Residents vote for the pol machine’s candidate → winning candidate makes sure residents get city services & jobs
Discuss: Why would political machine welcome new immigrants?
- Pol Machine takes care of many immigrants, they become future voters & many become precinct workers & captains

4. Corruption in the Machines
- Political Machines keep power by giving jobs to friends & working with local gangs and by using fraud & graft
-Fraud: win elections by voting more than once or miscounting
-Graft: Bribed officials/police to conduct illegal activities
-Graft: “kick-back” some of the money made to the person who helped

5. Boss Tweed & Tammany Hall
-1860s & 70s: William Tweed was the powerful NY city boss who ran a Democratic Political Machine called Tammany Hall
-Tweed stole or extorted over $300 million
-Tweed was indicted on 120 counts of fraud and extortion but escaped to Spain before trial

6. Reforming the System
Pres Hayes (R) wanted to challenge Pol Machines by requiring a civil service test for all city employees
Rep. boss Roscoe Conklin (Stalwart) challenges Hayes re-election bid
Hayes doesn’t run and Ohio Gov James Garfield wins Rep nomination, chooses Chester Arthur as VP (Stalwart/Conklin friend)
After Garfield wins, he begins reforms, 6 mos later he is assassinated
However, Arthur signs Pendleton Act & civil service law is in effect
I am a stalwart!

7. Political Machines of Gilded Age (complete sentences)
Describe person in cartoon
What objects & words are in cartoon?
What is said about votes?
What political machine issue is this cartoon discussing?