Political machine facts for kids

A political machine is like a powerful team in politics. It's a group of people, or sometimes just one very strong leader, who have a lot of control over how a city, county, or even a state is run. They get this control because they have many supporters who vote for them, or because they are very popular.

This idea of a "political machine" became well-known in the United States during the 1800s. Groups like Tammany Hall in Manhattan were famous examples. They kept their power for a long time, often because many new people moving to the city (immigrants) supported them.

What is a Political Machine?

A political machine is a strong political organization. It's usually led by a "boss" or a small group of leaders. These leaders have enough votes and support to control the government in their area. They can decide who gets jobs, what projects get built, and how money is spent.

How Did They Work?

Political machines often gained power by helping people directly. For example, they might help new immigrants find jobs or places to live. They could also provide food or other help to families in need. In return, these people would promise to vote for the machine's candidates in elections.

This system created a strong network of loyalty. The machine would help its supporters, and in turn, those supporters would ensure the machine stayed in power. This made it very hard for other political groups to win elections against them.

A Famous Example: Tammany Hall

One of the most famous political machines was Tammany Hall in New York City. It was active for many years, especially in the 1800s. Tammany Hall helped many new people who arrived in the city, especially immigrants from different countries.

These new arrivals often faced challenges like finding work and housing. Tammany Hall would offer them help and support. In exchange, these grateful people would become loyal voters for Tammany Hall's candidates. This strong support helped Tammany Hall control New York City politics for a long time.

Why Were They Important?

Political machines played a big role in American cities, especially during times of rapid growth. They often helped to organize services and support for large populations, including many new immigrants. While they provided help to many people, they also concentrated a lot of power in the hands of a few leaders.

Images for kids

• 

  In this 1889 Udo Keppler cartoon from Puck, all of New York City politics revolves around boss Richard Croker.

• 

  1869 tobacco label featuring William M. Tweed, 19th-century political boss of New York City

See also

In Spanish: Maquinaria política para niños