Topic 6.9 - Responses to Immigration and Migration in the Gilded Age

nativism

The idea that people who were born in a country are better and more important than immigrants.

American Protective Association

An anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant group that briefly acquired a membership greater than 2,000,000 during the 1890s. It was a secret society that played upon the fears of rural Americans about the growth and political power of immigrant-populated cities.

contract labor law

This act / law prohibited any company from going to foreign countries to recruit and bring unskilled immigrants into the United States to work. The purpose of the act / law was to protect American workers from competition.

political machine

A party organization, headed by a single boss or small autocratic group, that commands enough votes to maintain political and administrative control of a city, county, or state.

Tammany Hall

Name of the Democratic party organization that controlled New York City.

Boss Tweed

He was the leader of the Democratic party organization that controlled New York City.

George Washington Plunkitt

What man bragged about getting information that the city of New York was interested in constructing a park or building and he went and purchased the land before the city could. He would then charge the city a lot of money for the land and make a considerable profit. He called this "honest."

Thomas Nast

A famous editorial (newspaper) cartoonist in the 19th century who is considered to be the father of American political cartooning. His artwork was primarily based on the political corruption of Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed.

honest graft

When a politician has information that is not yet public and uses that information to make money. For example, if the city is considering building a new government building, the politician would buy the land that the city is considering building on and then sells it to the city for a high price (to make a large profit).

graft

The acquisition of money, gain, or advantage by dishonest, unfair, or illegal means, especially through the abuse of one's position or influence in politics, business, etc.