Big City Politics & Corruption

Gilded Age

• Turn of the century: 19th century (1800s) to 20th century (1900s)

• “The glittering exterior of the age turned to hide a corrupt political core and a growing gap between the few rich and the many poor.”

Political Machines

• Political groups that would aid the urban poor (immigrants) in exchange for their votes

• Political Boss: Someone who ran a political machine (Boss Tweed)

• Tammany Hall: Most famous political machine in NYC. Bought votes, bribed judges, gave jobs in exchange for political support.

• Graft: Taking money intended for city projects.

Attempts to End Corruption

• Pendleton Act: Made filling gov’t jobs based merit (skills)

• Secret Ballot: Done to eliminate voter intimidation & bribery