Political Machines

Definition

Political machines refer to organized political groups that exerted significant control over the political process, often through the use of patronage, corruption, and other unethical practices. These machines were particularly prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, and they played a key role in shaping the political landscape during the Postbellum era and the Progressive Era.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Political machines were able to maintain power by controlling the distribution of government jobs and resources, which they used to reward loyal supporters and punish political opponents.
2. These machines often exploited the influx of immigrants and the urban poor, offering them jobs, housing, and other benefits in exchange for their votes.
3. Corruption was a common tactic used by political machines, with machine bosses often accepting bribes from businesses and individuals in exchange for political favors.
4. The rise of political machines was closely tied to the growth of cities and the increasing importance of urban politics in the late 19th century.
5. The Progressive movement in the early 20th century sought to reform and dismantle the power of political machines, leading to the passage of civil service reforms and other anti-corruption measures.

Review Questions

• Explain how political machines maintained their power and influence in the Postbellum era.
  • Political machines maintained their power and influence in the Postbellum era through the use of patronage, where they rewarded loyal supporters with government jobs and other benefits in exchange for their votes. They also engaged in corruption, accepting bribes from businesses and individuals in exchange for political favors. This allowed them to control the distribution of government resources and maintain a loyal base of supporters, ensuring their continued dominance in the political landscape.
• Describe the key political issues that were central to the rise and power of political machines, such as tariffs and the gold standard.
  • The key political issues that were central to the rise and power of political machines included the debates over tariffs and the gold standard. Political machines often aligned themselves with specific economic interests, such as big businesses that benefited from high tariffs, and they used their influence to shape these policy debates in their favor. They also exploited the urban poor and immigrants, offering them jobs and other benefits in exchange for their votes, which allowed them to maintain control over the political process and shape the outcome of these important policy debates.
• Analyze the role of political machines in the Progressivism movement at the grassroots level, and how their power was challenged and ultimately diminished.
  • The Progressivism movement at the grassroots level sought to challenge and dismantle the power of political machines, which were seen as a major source of corruption and unethical practices in the political system. Progressives pushed for civil service reforms and other anti-corruption measures that reduced the ability of political machines to reward their supporters with government jobs and resources. They also mobilized public opinion against the excesses of political machines, exposing their corrupt practices and building support for reform. As a result, the power of political machines was gradually diminished over the course of the Progressive Era, paving the way for a more democratic and accountable political system.

Related terms

Patronage: The practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs or other benefits in exchange for their loyalty and votes.

Corruption: The abuse of power for personal or political gain, often involving bribery, fraud, or other unethical practices.

Tammany Hall: A powerful political machine in New York City that controlled the Democratic Party and city government for decades through the use of patronage and corruption.