Escape the Machine: Gilded Age Political Machines Escape Room
Step into the shoes of Progressive Era reformers in this highly engaging and standards-aligned U.S. History escape room! In Escape the Machine: Breaking Free from Boss Tweed’s Grasp, students investigate the corrupt tactics of political machines like Tammany Hall during the Gilded Age. Designed for 11th grade or advanced 10th grade students in U.S. History or American History, this interactive activity builds critical thinking, collaboration, and historical inquiry skills.
Perfect for units on urbanization, immigration, industrialization, and corruption, this breakout-style activity makes history hands-on and meaningful.
Each Station Includes: Station 1: The Spoils Web (Patronage)
Focus: The spoils system and job-for-votes corruption
Skills: Inference, cause & effect, character analysis
Students evaluate how political bosses gave out city jobs in exchange for loyalty and power.
Station 2: Rigged Results (Voter Fraud)
Focus: Voter manipulation, repeat voting, and fake identities
Skills: Data comparison, attention to detail, pattern recognition
Students analyze historical voter rolls to find red flags and decode hidden messages.
Station 3: Follow the Money (Graft & Embezzlement)
Focus: Overcharging contracts and stealing public funds
Skills: Math, decoding, cross-referencing financial records
Students investigate inflated expenses and uncover the total amount stolen by political bosses.
✅ Resource Includes:
Escape Room Student Packet (printable)
3 Themed Stations with all materials
Teacher setup guide with step-by-step directions
Optional lockbox setup (physical or digital)
Bellringer activity and class discussion prompts
Printable "Progressive Badge of Honor" reward
Perfect for 11th grade U.S. History or advanced 10th grade
Skills Developed:
Collaboration & teamwork
Historical source analysis
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Reading comprehension, data literacy, and logic
Vocabulary application (spoils system, graft, patronage, etc.)
Standards-Aligned:
Aligned to high school U.S. History standards covering immigration, urbanization, and the rise of political machines. Helps students evaluate the government’s role in responding to corruption during the Gilded Age.
Escape the Machine: Gilded Age Political Machines Escape Room
Step into the shoes of Progressive Era reformers in this highly engaging and standards-aligned U.S. History escape room! In Escape the Machine: Breaking Free from Boss Tweed’s Grasp, students investigate the corrupt tactics of political machines like Tammany Hall during the Gilded Age. Designed for 11th grade or advanced 10th grade students in U.S. History or American History, this interactive activity builds critical thinking, collaboration, and historical inquiry skills.
Perfect for units on urbanization, immigration, industrialization, and corruption, this breakout-style activity makes history hands-on and meaningful.
Each Station Includes: Station 1: The Spoils Web (Patronage)
Focus: The spoils system and job-for-votes corruption
Skills: Inference, cause & effect, character analysis
Students evaluate how political bosses gave out city jobs in exchange for loyalty and power.
Station 2: Rigged Results (Voter Fraud)
Focus: Voter manipulation, repeat voting, and fake identities
Skills: Data comparison, attention to detail, pattern recognition
Students analyze historical voter rolls to find red flags and decode hidden messages.
Station 3: Follow the Money (Graft & Embezzlement)
Focus: Overcharging contracts and stealing public funds
Skills: Math, decoding, cross-referencing financial records
Students investigate inflated expenses and uncover the total amount stolen by political bosses.
✅ Resource Includes:
Escape Room Student Packet (printable)
3 Themed Stations with all materials
Teacher setup guide with step-by-step directions
Optional lockbox setup (physical or digital)
Bellringer activity and class discussion prompts
Printable "Progressive Badge of Honor" reward
Perfect for 11th grade U.S. History or advanced 10th grade
Skills Developed:
Collaboration & teamwork
Historical source analysis
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Reading comprehension, data literacy, and logic
Vocabulary application (spoils system, graft, patronage, etc.)
Standards-Aligned:
Aligned to high school U.S. History standards covering immigration, urbanization, and the rise of political machines. Helps students evaluate the government’s role in responding to corruption during the Gilded Age.
