Political Machine: What did Boss Tweed Boss?

U.S. History /// Mr. Paulson /// Tues. Jan. 3, 2012

Spark # 10

1. Explain Carnegie’s quote – “the man who dies rich dies disgraced…”

2. What were some of the problems that came along with industrialization and the Gilded Age?

Agenda

Spark # 10 Business Items God has a sense of humor Concept Attainment Political Machine

Review: Concept Attainment

Finish ---

Preview

When was the last time you needed a favor from someone? What did you need?

Is it always important that a person “pay back” their favors?

If you were forced to move –today– what would you take with you??

Now you can only take what can fit in your backpack, what would you take??

Immigration and the “Political Bosses

Millions of immigrants, from many different cultures arrived in U.S. in late 1800’s and early 1900’s

What was life like for immigrants “fresh off the boat?”

Where did they come from? Why did they come?

Politics in Gilded Age

Politics in Gilded Age dominated by scandals and corruption

Spoils system-bribery, unqualified and dishonest officials

Hayes - corrupt and scandals Garfield - corrupt and assassinated political machines dominate city

politics monopolies heavily influence

national politics

“Political Bosses” and “the machine”

Unofficial city “organization” –meant to keep party or group in power

Usually boss picked puppet to hold office Exchange of favors---bosses take

advantage of poor immigrants (they have nothing!!)

Form of welfare Bosses and machine helped immigrants when

government and private industry would not Cincinnati’s George B. Cox-rare honest

example “Boss Tweed”- Tammany Hall Dem’s in NYC

“Under theThumb” cartoon

William Tweed

Or“Boss

Tweed”Tammany

Hall

Thomas Nast and Political Cartoons

Thomas Nast-German immigrant cartoonist Depicted Tweed as dictator and thief who

manipulated government Exposed Tweed to public and helped bring

him down What did Boss Tweed boss?

“Who stole the people’s money? –Do Tell ‘Twas Him”

Analyze together

What do you see? What are the symbols? What do you think is the message of the cartoon?

Background Info on Political Cartoons

late 1800's - increase in newspaper and magazine circulation = rise and use of political cartoons.

Political cartoons - communicate powerful ideas often in a humorous, enlightening manner, by incorporating the events of the period into an easily understandable format most people could relate to even with limited reading abilities. Symbols, caricature, drawings and exaggerations used by the cartoonist point out themes and problems of any given time period.

Largely illiterate, non-English speaking population – pictures are key!

Homework -

Progressivism and Imperialism reading guide