Final answer:
William M. Tweed, known as 'Boss Tweed', was in charge of Tammany Hall, the Democratic political machine in New York City, during the 19th century. He was infamous for leading a corrupt system that engaged in graft and bribery, but reforms eventually led to his downfall.
Step-by-step explanation:
William M. Tweed, often referred to as 'Boss Tweed', was in charge of Tammany Hall, the Democratic political machine that dominated New York City politics in the 19th century. Under Tweed's leadership, Tammany Hall was notorious for its corrupt practices, including graft, bribery, and the manipulation of elections to maintain political power and control over the city's resources. This corrupt system led to the embezzlement of vast sums of money from the city's coffers. Kickbacks and rigged contracts enriched Tweed and the machine's inner circle at the expense of taxpayers.
Despite its notoriety, Tammany Hall also provided essential services to the city's immigrants and poor, which helped secure votes and maintain political support. This complicated web of corruption and patronage was eventually challenged by reformers like Samuel J. Tilden, who fought against Tammany's influence and oversaw the eventual downfall and imprisonment of Tweed.
The Tweed Ring, as it was known, and the political corruption of the era, are emblematic of the challenges of urbanization and the struggle for political reform during the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era.