Machine Politics

Definition

Machine politics refers to the organized, hierarchical, and often corrupt system of political control that emerged in many American cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It involved the use of political machines, which were tightly-knit organizations that wielded significant power and influence over local government and elections.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Machine politics emerged as a way for political bosses and their organizations to consolidate power and control access to government jobs, contracts, and other resources.
2. Political machines often used a system of patronage, where supporters were rewarded with government jobs or other benefits in exchange for their loyalty and political support.
3. Tammany Hall, the famous Democratic political machine in New York City, was one of the most powerful and notorious examples of machine politics in American history.
4. Machine politics thrived in urban areas with large immigrant populations, as political machines often exploited the needs and vulnerabilities of these communities to maintain their power.
5. The rise of machine politics was closely tied to the rapid urbanization and industrialization that occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as political machines adapted to the changing social and economic landscape.

Review Questions

• Explain how the system of machine politics emerged in American cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • The system of machine politics emerged in response to the rapid urbanization and industrialization that occurred during this period. As cities grew rapidly, political machines were able to consolidate power and control access to government resources, jobs, and contracts by exploiting the needs and vulnerabilities of immigrant communities. These political machines, often headed by powerful individuals or small groups, used a system of patronage and corruption to maintain their influence and power over local government and elections.
• Describe the role of the patronage system in the machine politics of this era.
  • The patronage system was a key component of machine politics, as it allowed political bosses and their organizations to reward their supporters and associates with government jobs and other benefits in exchange for political loyalty and support. This system of patronage helped political machines maintain their power and control over local government, as they could use the promise of jobs and other resources to secure the loyalty of their constituents. The patronage system also contributed to the widespread corruption and lack of accountability that characterized many machine-dominated cities during this period.
• Analyze the impact of machine politics on the social and political landscape of American cities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • The rise of machine politics had a significant impact on the social and political landscape of American cities during this period. On the one hand, machine politics provided a means for immigrant communities and other marginalized groups to gain access to government resources and jobs, which helped to alleviate some of the challenges they faced. However, the system of patronage and corruption that underpinned machine politics also led to a lack of accountability and transparency in local government, and often resulted in the exploitation and disenfranchisement of these same communities. Moreover, the power and influence wielded by political machines could stifle political dissent and limit opportunities for meaningful civic engagement and reform. The legacy of machine politics continues to shape the political and social dynamics of many urban areas to this day.

Related terms

Political Machine: A political machine is an organization, often headed by a single powerful individual or a small group, that controls the political and patronage affairs of a particular area or constituency, usually a city or county.

Patronage System: The patronage system is a practice in which a person in power rewards their supporters and associates by giving them jobs or other benefits, often in exchange for political support.

Tammany Hall:

Tammany Hall was a powerful Democratic political machine that dominated New York City politics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, using a system of patronage and corruption to maintain its power.