Politics in the Gilded Age
Political Machines
1. Problems in the Cities
Crime, poor water and sanitation
No one there to solve them - weak local 
       government
Bosses soon stepped in to solve the problems
11. Role of the Machine
Reached out to those
       that needed help
Existed to take political
       power for themselves
Provided favors in exchange
       for votes
111. Tweed Ring
The biggest political machine
Late 1860s through the 1870s
Run by the Democrat William Tweed
New York City
$13 million court house scandal
Controlled elections, judges and businesses
Graft - bribes and payouts
Federal Corruption
Corruption existed at all levels of government
Grant's VP (Schuyler) was caught taking money from French businesses
In 1877, Rutherford B. Hayes became president and vowed reform, 
       but did nothing
Chester A. Arthur became president in 1881 when James Garfield was assassinated
He actually brought reform
The Pendleton Civil Service Act required that political appointees be hired based on merrit, not patronage
Classwork Activity: Political Cartoons
Symbolism  

Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas.

After you identify the symbols in a cartoon, think about what the cartoonist intends each symbol to stand for.
Exaggeration  

Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point.

When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration.
Analogy  

An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light.

After you’ve studied a cartoon for a while, try to decide what the cartoon’s main analogy is. What two situations does the cartoon compare? Once you understand the main analogy, decide if this comparison makes the cartoonist’s point more clear to you.
Irony  

Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue.

When you look at a cartoon, see if you can find any irony in the situation the cartoon depicts. If you can, think about what point the irony might be intended to emphasize. Does the irony help the cartoonist express his or her opinion more effectively?
Practice!