What is patronage and how is it connected to immigration and urbanization?

Answer 1

Hi there! Well, to answer your question, patronage is the practice of rewarding faithful party workers and followers with government positions, titles, or contracts. This means that if you are loyal and dedicated to a particular party and have garnered the respect and admiration of your party heads, you may very well receive an office, role, or government favor.

Before 1883, patronage in the U.S. was a very common and acceptable practice, though it truly gained momentum during the Jacksonian era. Top ranking politicians would regularly award loyal party members with government offices and key campaign donors with contracts. However, the practice was eventually eliminated because 1) it was highly unethical and damaging to appoint potentially incompetent (though loyal) followers, and 2) the assassination of James A. Garfield in 1881 by Charles J. Guiteau (a crazed party follower who was denied a government job and sought revenge). The assassination prompted Congress to pass the Pendleton Act in 1883 which established a Civil Service Commission that awarded government jobs based on merit and skill rather than party loyalty. Today, the practice of patronage is very rare. The only times patronage can ever really be found today are in presidential and executive appointments. For example the president's power to appoint Supreme Court justices, executive department heads, and White House jobs amounts to modern-day patronage.

To answer the second part of your question, patronage has been connected to Immigration and urbanization issues primarily during the 1830's up to 1883. During the 1830's - 1840's, the U.S. experienced a tremendous influx of Irish and German immigrants. Most of these immigrants came to the U.S. with little money and English skills and needed help. Many political organizations, known today as "political or urban machines" began to aid these immigrants in their daily lives, by providing educational facilities and job opportunities. By doing so, the political machines garnered immense support from the immigrant populations and were oiled through the practice of patronage. The political machines offered loyal European immigrants with political positions, assuring them that by voting for and remaining loyal to candidates of a particular machine, they too could access the power of political office in the U.S. Also, many of these immigrant groups worked for construction industries and many came to have a huge influence in them. The practice of patronage allowed the machines to offer these immigrant dominated industries with lucrative contracts that would allowed construction projects to flourish during the era.

Answer 2

Patronage refers to the support or sponsorship provided by one individual or group to another. In the context of immigration and urbanization, patronage networks can help newcomers find housing, employment, and social connections within urban areas. Immigrants may rely on existing community networks or individuals for patronage to navigate the challenges of settling in a new city.