1. The Gilded Age

2. Gilded means to cover something of poor quality with gold
Mark Twain
Gilded means to cover something of poor quality with gold
What does this imply about American Society?

3. 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

4. Political Machines Basics:
What?
Political parties that controlled local and state government in late 1800s
Why?
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
Image: © CORBIS
Creator Name: Thomas Nast
Date Created: ca. 1871

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

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

7. Film

8. Exposed
corrupt Boss
Tweed
Used political
cartoons:
citizens didn’t
need to be able
to read.

9. Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall

10. Does History remember the Real Boss Tweed?

11. Political Machines Still around?
Not really - Tweed brought down when public opinion went against him
Things changed when the NY Times published expose & the public got interested in reforming politics
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

12. To the victor goes the spoils

13. CIVIL SERVICE REPLACES PATRONAGE
Nationally, some politicians pushed for reform in the hiring system
The system had been based on Patronage; giving jobs and favors to those who helped a candidate get elected
Reformers pushed for an adoption of a merit system of hiring the most qualified for jobs
The Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 authorized a bipartisan commission to make appointments for federal jobs based on performance
Applicants for federal jobs are required to take a Civil Service Exam

14. Review Who was Boss Tweed?
What is the connection between Boss Tweed and Thomas Nast?
What was Tammany Hall?
Give two examples of graft.
Were political machines good or bad for cities? Explain your response?
What was the spoils system and what reform did it lead to?

15. Read Chapter 15, section 3 pp 452-454
Make sure that your lecture notes are complete and that all terms are defined