1. Political Machines: Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed October 15, 2014

2. Tammany Hall – New York City Formed as Patriotic/ Social Club in NYC after American Revolution Purpose: discuss politics in new nation 1828: Tammany Hall supports Andrew Jackson as President Jackson wins Presidency – Rewards members of Tammany with gov’t jobs Tammany Hall CONTROLS politics in NYC – Has A LOT of power/ $$$$ 1850s: High Irish immigration Tammany Hall: provide welfare (home/ job/ etc.) In return: new immigrants provides VOTE Make sure VOTE goes “Tammany’s way” 1860: Isaac Fowler (mailman) is leader of Tammany Hall Lives in lavish NYC hotel & spends 10 times his income Charged with embezzlement Marshall comes to arrest/ allows to escape to Mexico Returns after charges have been dropped 1868: Democratic National Convention held in Tammany Hall

3. William “Boss” Tweed (1823 – 1878) Leader of the “Tweed Ring”/ Tammany Hall in New York City Stole MILLIONS from city before outrage formed against him – Prosecuted – Died in prison in 1878 Never held political office in NYC – But held more power than anyone in NYC 1857: Board of Supervisors 1860s: Controlled NYC finances – Percentage of every transaction goes to him Tweed used finances to maintain POWER 1873: Sentenced to prison 1876: Escapes prison (found in Spain) – Spain hands over 1878: Tweed dies in prison

4. Richard Croker 1874: Low level worker at Tammany Hall Street fight near polling place – Man named “McKenna” shot and killed Croker charged with murder – But, Croker was a boxer – Would use his fists before a pistol Croker found not guilty of crime 1890s: Croker becomes leader of Tammany Hall Mindful of Tweed’s fate: Croker retires and returns to Ireland – Dies a FREE and WEALTHY man