Political+Machines+(1-2)

How they worked

Political machines are capable of mobilizing large numbers of votes on behalf of candidates for political office. Political machines developed in the United States in the early 19th century reached the peak of their power toward the end of the century and declined in importance after 1900. They dominated political life in most American cities in the decades between the Civil War and the Great Depression. And in some areas, political machines continued to be important into 1970s. But today, political machines are pretty much extinct in the United States.

Group 2