tweed and tammany hall
Post on 18-Dec-2014
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Essential Questions:1.Who was William Tweed?2.How did Tweed use the system of patronage to his benefit?3.How was the Tweed Ring eventually brought down?4.Who was Thomas Nast and what contributions did he make to the political and cultural fabric of American society?
Tweed and Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall 1789, in NYC, the Tammany
Society was founded
Originally a patriotic & charitable organization
1817, Irish leaders gained membership in Tammany Enacted practice of
exchanging votes for benefits
For the next 70 years New York City would be governed by Tammany forces
1868, William Tweed became the leader of Tammany Ushered in an era of extreme
corruption
William Tweed Began his rise to influence
in the1840s as a volunteer fireman in New York City
From these beginnings Tweed managed to build a base of power
He was soon elected to a term in the New York State Assembly
During his term he was active in Tammany HallThe organizational force
of the Democratic Party in New York
PatronageTweed used a vast
system of patronage
Tweed gathered a small group of men who controlled New York City's finances
They dispensed jobs and contracts in return for political support and bribes
Political patronage is the dispensing of favors or rewards in return for support or votes
The Scandal Estimated he stole $75 million to
$200 million Contractors presented bills ranging
from 15% to 65% of the actual cost Extra money was divided among
Tweed and his subordinates
The Tweed Courthouse Most excessive example of
corruption Cost the city $13 million to
construct It actually cost only $3 million
Tweed’s Downfall Refused to authorize the “Orange
Parade” Sheriff gave evidence of
embezzlement to The New York Times
Political cartoons drawn by Thomas Nast increased anger towards Tweed
Thomas Nast Efforts were instrumental
in bringing down the Tweed Ring
Contributed to the political & cultural scene:Created the elephant
as the symbol for the Republican Party and the donkey for the Democrats
Developed the popular appearance of Uncle Sam
Popularized the current day conception of Santa Claus
The Fate of Tweed and Tammany Hall
Tweed was tried and convicted of forgery and larceny
Was sentenced to a 12-year prison term
He was released after serving only one year, but was quickly arrested on another corruption charge
He escaped and fled to Cuba and then eventually Spain
He was extradited back to the United States in 1876 and died later in a New York City jail cell
Tweed and Tammany Hall
New York: A Documentary Film
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