Name______________________ Class ___________ Date ______
essential question #7: how & why has the historical
perspective of tammany hall changed recently?
What was Tammany Hall?
Tammany Hall was the Democratic
political machine that dominated New
York City politics for decades in the late
1800s & early 1900s. Located in the
building to the right, Tammany started
off as just a social group but it began to
control New York City in the mid 1800s
when the group realized the loyalty and
votes of hundreds of thousands of new
immigrants could mean tremendous
political power and much more.
Tammany courted every immigrant with
the expectation that these immigrants
would do two things: vote for Tammany
politicians during election time and
support Tammany throughout the rest of
the year. Tammany politicians, with this
kind of backing, became extremely rich
and corrupt individuals. While many of
their immigrant constituents lived in
slums or on the streets, many of the
leaders lived in luxurious mansions and
owned multiple homes.
Countless historians and people who lived during the
time of Tammany’s reign denounced the actions of
this NYC political machine. Thomas Nast, a
cartoonist who witnessed the corruption of
Tammany Hall, became famous for his caricatures of
the man to the left, William “Boss” Tweed. Upset
over Tammany politicians stealing over $75 million
from taxpayers and giving illegal building contracts
to friends, Nast began producing numerous cartoons
displaying Tweed in a negative light. One early
historian in 1903 compared Tammany Hall to a
band of pirates who plundered at will from innocent
people and followed corrupt and immoral leaders
blindly. Another historian in 1917 referred to
Tammany as “despotic” and filled with “bribery.”
And as recent as 1993, a different scholar called the
NYC political machine “bizarre” and focused
primarily on the negative aspects of Tammany.
Name______________________ Class ___________ Date ______
essential question #7: how & why has the historical
perspective of tammany hall changed recently?
Cartoon Analysis
This 1871 cartoon published by Thomas Nast in the New York
Times was entitled “Who Stole the People’s Money.”
Discussion Questions
1) Which of the common techniques (labeling, symbolism,
exaggeration) used in most political cartoons are used here?
2) Do you think the cartoonist was portraying Tammany Hall
in a positive or negative light? What evidence do you have?
3) Based on the cartoon, who do you think is part of the
Tammany Ring?
Name______________________ Class ___________ Date ______
essential question #7: how & why has the historical
perspective of tammany hall changed recently?
Hardcore History Investigation
How do Historians Today Portray Tammany Hall?
Each individual student will be given a number 1 to 3. Based on the number given
to you, you will research that source number. Use the chart below to record any
evidence/quotes that portray Tammany Hall in a positive or negative light in your
source.
Source #1: http://bit.ly/1r8Wd09
Author _______________________________________P. Source ____ or S. Source ________
Where (Magazine, website, interview, etc.) _____________________ Date________
Positive Evidence/Quotes about
Tammany
Negative Evidence/Quotes about
Tammany
Name______________________ Class ___________ Date ______
essential question #7: how & why has the historical
perspective of tammany hall changed recently?
Hardcore History Investigation
How do Historians Today Portray Tammany Hall?
Each individual student will be given a number 1 to 3. Based on the number given
to you, you will research that source number. Use the chart below to record any
evidence/quotes that portray Tammany Hall in a positive or negative light in your
source.
Source #2: http://n.pr/1e2p4e5
Author _______________________________________P. Source ____ or S. Source ________
Where (Magazine, website, interview, etc.) _____________________ Date________
____________________
Positive Evidence/Quotes about
Negative Evidence/Quotes about
Tammany
Tammany
Name______________________ Class ___________ Date ______
essential question #7: how & why has the historical
perspective of tammany hall changed recently?
Hardcore History Investigation
How do Historians Today Portray Tammany Hall?
Each individual student will be given a number 1 to 3. Based on the number given
to you, you will research that source number. Use the chart below to record any
evidence/quotes that portray Tammany Hall in a positive or negative light in your
source.
Source #3: http://nyti.ms/1tocSB2
Author _______________________________________P. Source ____ or S. Source ________
Where (Magazine, website, interview, etc.) _____________________ Date________
____________________
Positive Evidence/Quotes about
Negative Evidence/Quotes about
Tammany
Tammany
Name______________________ Class ___________ Date ______
essential question #7: how & why has the historical
perspective of tammany hall changed recently?
Hardcore History Investigation
Now You’re the Cartoonist!
Sketch a political cartoon below that represents the positive
interpretations that recent scholars and historians have given Tammany
Hall. Use all three of the common cartoonist techniques (labeling,
symbolism, & exaggeration) in your cartoon.