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