Boss Tweed?

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Boss Tweed was an infamous figure in New York politics who dominated New York City in the mid-1800s and essentially controlled the Democratic Party in upstate New York during his years in power. He is often referred to as an iconic figure of corruption and ruthlessness, and his successful trial and imprisonment marked a critical turning point in New York politics. By weakening Tweed and Tammany Hall, the political machine he led, much of the rampant corruption in New York has been put to an end, setting the stage for a more egalitarian city.

Tammany Hall actually predates William Magear Tweed; it was created in the late 1700s as a general social club. By the time Tweed was born in 1823, he had acquired a markedly political bent, and as he grew into adulthood, he joined the club and began to rise through the ranks through hard work and well-placed bribes. In 1850, William Tweed served in the United States Congress, returning to New York to serve as a senator and to unite his growing political power.

By 1860, William Tweed had become Boss Tweed and was in full control of Tammany Hall. He surrounded himself with cronies and assistants and began defrauding the city of New York, eventually taking an estimated $100 million US dollars (USD) from the city’s coffers. Tweed accomplished this through the “Tweed Ring,” who ensured that all city contracts were awarded to his co-conspirators, and they in turn replenished their accounts, sending the extra money to Tweed.

In addition to being a mastermind of corruption, Tweed was also highly skilled at political manipulation. Through Tammany Hall, he invested in a series of public works projects designed to win the hearts of the lower classes, later using their loyalty to call elections and ensure Tammany Hall kept a grip on New York politics. The political machine lent a helping hand to members of the working class and expected absolute loyalty in return.

In the 1870s, news of Tammany Hall corruption began to spread, and in 1873 Boss Tweed was jailed for his role in the corruption scandal, like many others. Contemporaries suggested that many involved in the Tweed Ring got off lightly, because to jail all involved would have emptied the streets of New York City. Tweed briefly escaped from prison, fleeing to Cuba and then Spain, but was captured and sent back to the United States, where he died in 1878.

Tammany Hall limped on for a few decades after the downfall of Boss Tweed, playing a role in New York politics well into the 1930s.

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