What strategy did the urban machine candidates utilize to win elections post-Civil War?

Winning uncompetitive elections emerged as a key strategy for urban machine candidates in the post-Civil War period. This approach involved capitalizing on existing political dynamics in urban areas where there were often overwhelming majorities within specific communities or demographic groups. By focusing on these uncompetitive contexts, urban machines could consolidate their power without facing significant electoral challenges. This strategy allowed machine candidates to gain control over local governance and resources with relatively low opposition, ensuring their political dominance and the ability to implement their policies effectively.

Building a strong grassroots campaign typically involves extensive voter outreach and mobilization, which may not have been the primary focus for these urban machines when they could secure victories in less competitive scenarios. Aligning with Republican policies may not have accurately reflected the broader political goals of urban machines, which often represented more localized interests and were tied to different party contexts depending on their city. Creating alliances with rural voters could also dilute the specific urban strategies that were successful during this time, as the urban machines primarily concentrated on urban issues and concerns, rather than seeking broader coalitions that included rural constituents.