Question

What was the main goal of political machines during the Gilded Age?

Answer 1

Gilded is a sarcastic name for an era at the end of the civil war. It was coined by Mark Twain meaning that a few individuals accumulated big wealths based on corrupted political machineries. Rich people such as Carnegie, Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, who were the titans of steel, banking and oil industry, built their capitals on political corruption. The political machinery was oriented to help a few people build their fortune.

Answer 2

The main goal of political machines at that time was to control local government during the Gilded Age. Th main goal of political machines during the Glided Age was it used both, legal and illegal, methods to get candidates elected to public office.