Final answer:
Political machines maintained power through bribery, corruption, and patronage, using tactics such as providing jobs and services to secure votes and forging alliances with business and labor leaders to control political and financial support.
Step-by-step explanation:
Political machines, such as Tammany Hall, gained and held power in cities primarily through bribery, corruption, and patronage. Political machines were informal political groups striving to maintain power, often led by influential party bosses. Key tactics included providing jobs, housing, and other necessities to citizens in exchange for their votes. Notably, political bosses like William "Boss" Tweed of Tammany Hall secured votes through graft and favors, bypassing bureaucratic delays to deliver services like sidewalk construction, while collecting kickbacks.
During elections, these machines engaged in various corrupt practices, including intimidation, fraud, and the strategic use of preprinted ballots to control the vote. They also forged alliances with business leaders and labor organizations, offering jobs and government contracts in return for political and financial support. While these machines provided immediate solutions and were seen by some as benevolent providers, their activities ultimately resulted in higher costs for taxpayers due to their corrupt practices.