Pagedoc

What were the sources of Moses’ power?

A one man empire

His numerous appointments also gave him control of enormous resources which he could put forth to build ever greater projects and all but neuter anyone who dared oppose him. 

He did so by making skillful use of his knowledge in order to advance his agenda and by further consolidating his power and authority whenever possible.

* passion,

* technical skill/expertise,

* momentum,

* image shaping,

* resource creation,

* consolidation

Why weren’t Moses’ opponents (e.g., wealthy Long Island land owners; upstate Republicans) more effective against him? What should they have done differently?

* Moses obtained twelve positions. Among those, he was the New York City Parks Commissioner, head of the State Parks Council, head of the State Power Commission and chairman of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (Goldberger, 1981).

* Moses used his new found recognition as a tool against his oponents.

* Moses had great relationships with many of the reporters at the big newspapers and used this cozy ties to win favorable coverage. 

* To oppose Moses was to oppose parks and to oppose parks was to oppose mothers and children (a public affairs nightmare few opponents were willing to risk).

Moses built thousands of parks and, sensing the unanimous public support for such work, he began to publicly identify with this cause. Moses was seen as being on the side of the people he so dutifully served and would use his public acclaim to galvanize politicians and defame opponents.

First he used it to aggregate more and more power. Being seen as a foremost authority on public works meant he was the prime candidate to take on more political appointments.

Why did Al Smith stick by Moses?

Governor Alfred E. Smith, 1919-1920 and 1923-1928 o Supported Robert Moses in his early years by first offering him a job within the inner-circle and later appoints him as the president of the Long...