Political Machines and Corruption Practices

The video explores political machines, focusing on their structure, operation, and impact during the Gilded Age. It explains the roles within city machines, such as bosses and ward bosses, and how they influenced elections and provided services to immigrants. The video also discusses the corruption involved, including kickbacks and graft, and the benefits these machines provided in the absence of government welfare. It concludes with a look at state-level machines and modern examples of political corruption.

What is the primary difference between political machines and machine politics?

• Political machines are historical city and state organizations, while machine politics refer to modern political operations.

• Machine politics involve secret ballots, while political machines do not.

• Machine politics are only found in the United States, while political machines are global.

• Political machines operate at a national level, while machine politics are local.

Who is typically at the center of a city-level political machine?

• The mayor

• The district leader

• The ward boss

• The boss of the machine

Which group of immigrants primarily benefited from city political machines during the Gilded Age?

• Native-born Protestants

• Asian immigrants

• Southern and Eastern Europeans

• Older immigrants, particularly the Irish

How did political machines ensure immigrants voted in their favor?

• By providing free education

• By promising them citizenship

• By offering them money directly

• By threatening to take away their jobs and housing

What is a 'kickback' in the context of political machines?

• A form of tax relief for businesses

• A discount on public services

• A bribe given to politicians for awarding contracts

• A bonus for city workers

What is 'graft' as practiced by political machines?

• Providing free public services

• Overcharging for public projects

• Hiring more workers than needed

• Undercharging for public projects

Who primarily loses out due to the practices of kickbacks and graft?

• The immigrants

• The taxpayers

• The ward bosses

• The business owners

What role did state-level political machines play in the selection of senators?

• They directly appointed senators without any election.

• They had no influence over senator selection.

• They organized public elections for senators.

• They influenced the state legislature's choice of senators.

Which modern example was given to illustrate ongoing political corruption?

• A senator involved in insider trading

• A governor trying to sell a Senate seat

• A city council member accepting bribes

• A mayor caught embezzling funds

How have reforms impacted the prevalence of political machine practices today?

• They have completely eradicated political machines.

• They have made political machines more powerful.

• They have significantly reduced corruption, though some isolated cases remain.

• They have had no impact on political machines.