What was it like being an immigrant to America in the gilded age?

“I cant believe a 6 second test determined your fate” “ As a us citizen, I am disappointed in America’s exclusion of Chinese immigrants” “I cant believe a 6 second test determined your fate” As us citizen, I would offer food, shelter and clothes to help immigrants on their feet. “ I knew about Americanization but I was surprised children assimilated faster than adults” “ I am surprised women weren’t allowed to travel alone” “ As a us citizen I am embarrassed, native- borns are descents of Europeans!” “ I wonder if any of these things could happen again?” ‘I wonder how I would’ve been treated if I was an immigrant on ellis or angel island. “ I cant believe America proclaims equality and freedom while blatantly discriminating and instituting unjust policies.”

Immigration & Migration Problems Lead to Political Machines Immigration & Migration Mass immigration from Europe -looking for jobs and a better life; Many immigrants faced nativism policy that favors native born Americans Urbanization Cities grow so fast their gov’t (municipal) can’t keep up with needs of people: Transit, water & sewage systems, sanitation, protection Political Machines step in and provide services to immigrants in exchange for votes and money to get their candidates elected

organized group that works together to elect their political party’s candidate Political Machines: city boss street bosses Immigrant workers Political machines - step in and provide services to immigrants in exchange for votes and money to get their candidates elected

City Boss: gave favors (jobs, home, etc)in exchange for the immigrant workers vote for their political party candidate  Controlled city jobs, business licenses, and court system Immigrant workers Were taken advantage of –they were provided help and given jobs in exchange for their vote  they had to vote for their political boss’s candidate

Corruption in the Machines Fraud: cheating to win elections ex: voting more than once and manipulating the vote Graft: using political influence for personal gain ex: Bribes - businesses offered money to get city contracts

What do you think a person with that name look like? Who is Boss Tweed? What do you think a person with that name look like?

“The way to have power is to take it.”

-Led a ring of corrupt politicians who defrauded “The way to have power is to take it.” Boss Tweed * William M. Tweed -City Boss of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Political Machine in New York City -Led a ring of corrupt politicians who defrauded New York City from 1859-1871

Did he influence NYC in a positive or negative way? Provided jobs for unemployed NEGATIVE POSITVE Took care of immigrants constituents (voters Provided jobs for unemployed

Tammany’s Corruption: One example: the courthouse scam Charged taxpayers $13,000,000 for project that cost $3,000,000 Estimated Tweed stole from $30 million to $300 million

What is a political cartoon? Convey cartoonists point of view on current events Within the humor lies a serious message Attempt to influence public opinion and create… CHANGE!

“Let us prey”

End of Tweed: Thomas Nast assignment…

End of Tweed: Cartoonist Thomas Nast takes down Boss Tweed! You and your team will Read Biography –”Thomas Nast” 1. Thomas Nast was able to bring down Boss Tweed by… 2. Nast’s lasting symbols to modern America were…. 3. An old Chinse Saying holds that “A picture is worth a thousand words.” How did Nast prove this with his cartoons?

WILLIAM BOSS TWEED Eventually indicted on (charged with) 120 counts of fraud and extortion *Return of a portion of the money received in a sale or contract often illegal and corrupt in return for special favors. Exposed for his corruption by cartoonist and editor, Thomas Nast Tweed Ring fell and 1873 Tweed convicted of embezzlement Later Tweed was arrested on a civil charge and jailed in NYC, later died there

“Let us prey”

2. Nast’s lasting symbols to modern America were….

1861

End of “Spoils” System (patronage) creation of the Civil Service Commission was the Pendleton Act Under the Pendleton Act, people now had to Pass a civil service exam to qualify for a government job.

The Political Machine Cities City governments Didn’t provide: jobs, financial aid, protection, sanitation etc. Political Machine steps in Cities Cities grow so fast their government can’t keep up with the needs of the people—the POLITICAL MACHINE steps in. Provided services and business help in exchange for votes and money