Organization controlled by a strong leader or boss
Originally came about because of the spoils system the practice in which the winners of an election reward their supporters
Bosses provided jobs and services to immigrants and poor residents for their support
Most famous is Tammy Hall in NYC
Most famous leader is Boss Tweed
-This person would name and elected mayors and would assign a ward/boss in a local city to get people to vote for his favorite candidates. Only friends with Irish immigrants. Made money off of city contracts and kickbacks aka bribery
George Washington Plunket
-This person would buy property he knew the government was going to buy and then sell it at a exorbitant price. Believed there was a difference in getting money for personal gain such as paying off gambling debts and prositution and getting money to buy off land before the government and helping out the political party.
Even though they were immoral they did provide social services at the time, lent money, provided jobs, gave emergency assistance. Also helped immigrants complete their application for U.S. citizenship, encouraged expansion of NYC and construction and granted land for a museum of art.