Final answer:
Political machines, most notably Tammany Hall in New York, controlled cities through a system of favors and services in exchange for votes, often engaging in corrupt practices like graft. They solved immediate problems for citizens but at the cost of ethical governance. The Progressive Era saw attempts to dismantle their power and reduce corruption.
Step-by-step explanation:
Political machines controlled big cities through an informal yet powerful system where a party boss or small group of individuals maintained power by offering services and benefits to supporters.
Particularly during the Gilded Age and into the early twentieth century, political machines like New York's Tammany Hall, headed by figures such as William "Boss" Tweed, held sway over urban politics.
These entities were often considered corrupt because of their use of graft—using public funds for private gain—and for manipulating votes through various means such as bribery, favors, and voter intimidation.
Political machines promised voters timely solutions to their immediate problems, such as installation of sidewalks or provision of jobs, housing, and even necessities like food and heating in exchange for voting support.
While they effectively delivered on their promises at times, the methods employed were typically exploitative and self-serving for those in power.
The rampant corruption led to increased scrutiny and the eventual rise of the Progressive Era, where reformers sought to dismantle the control of these machines over city politics, leading to some successful changes like the commission system of governance aimed at reducing corruption.