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Politics in the Gilded Age

Politics in the Gilded Age. Focus Question. Explain what services a local government should provide for its residents . Urban Growth. Tremendous growth of cities in the Gilded Age What problems might arise due to this growth?. Population Boom Strained System. Issues over Housing

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Politics in the Gilded Age

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  1. Politics in the Gilded Age

  2. Focus Question Explain what services a local government should provide for its residents.

  3. Urban Growth • Tremendous growth of cities in the Gilded Age • What problems might arise due to this growth?

  4. Population Boom Strained System • Issues over Housing • Issues over Services • Issues over Public Health • Issues over Transportation • Issues over Sanitation • Issues over Poverty

  5. Political Machines • Cities and some states dominated by Political machines • Organized groups which controlled local parties • Controlled all aspects of local government. • Built upon layers of corruption

  6. Built on a Strict Hierarchy • Boss • Controlled patronage • Controlled funds • Determined candidates • Underboss • Controlled local wards • Assisted and advised the Boss

  7. Precinct Captains • Doled out patronage • Identified up and coming party members • Party loyalists • Got out the vote • Prevented the other party from getting out the vote

  8. Central Role of the Vote • The Vote was the currency of the machine • If you controlled the vote, you controlled: • Jobs • Money • Contracts • Power

  9. Inherently Corrupt • Ran up government expenses • Promoted inefficiency • Provided for shoddy work

  10. Why Did They Last? • Political Machines remarkably popular • Actively courted immigrant vote • Provided services for constituents • Provided the vote in national elections

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