Political machines
I. Political cartoons of Thomas Nast concerning Boss Tweed
#1 Main idea? ___________________________________
The Brains” (1871)
#2 Main idea? ___________________________________
#3 Main idea? ________________________________
II. 1905 conversation between newspaper reporter
William Riordon and New York political boss George
Plunkitt:
Plunkitt: “Go right down among the poor families
and help them in the different ways they need
help….It’s philanthropy, but it’s politics, too-mighty
good politics….The poor are the most grateful
people in the world, and, let me tell you, they have
more friends in their neighborhoods than the rich
have in theirs. If there’s a family in my district in
want I know it before the charitable societies, and
me and my men are first on the ground….The
consequence is that the poor look up to George
W. Plunkitt as a father, come to him in trouble- and don’t forget him on election day.”
** What is the main idea of this selection? How do you know? (Provide textual evidence to back up your
thoughts.)
Putting it all together
1. Based on what you have seen and read, list 3 inferences you could make about a political boss.
a.
b.
c.
2. What are inferences we could make about the motivation of the political cartoonist? Why do you
believe it to be true?
3. What would you expect would be the result of the publishing of these political cartoons? Why?