political science

Hudson

The river separating New York and New Jersey, sailed by Henry Hudson in 1609.

Peter Stuyvesant

The last Dutch governor of New Amsterdam who brought order under Dutch rule.

Beaver

A valuable commodity in the fur trade that the Dutch exported, featured on NYC's flag.

Gotham

A nickname for New York City coined by Washington Irving in the 19th century.

Triangular Trade

A trade route connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas that included New York.

Loyalists

Colonists who remained loyal to Britain during the American Revolution.

Patriots

Colonists who supported independence from Britain during the American Revolution.

1789

The year George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States.

Erie Canal

A waterway completed in 1825 that linked New York City to Buffalo.

Croton River

A river dammed to create a water supply system for New York City.

Reservoir System

An infrastructure project that supplied clean water from upstate New York to NYC.

High Bridge

A bridge that carries water from the Croton Dam over the Harlem River.

Aqueducts and Tunnels

Modern infrastructures that transport water from upstate New York to NYC.

Five Points District

New York's first major slum, known for its poverty and crime.

Toombs

A prison located in the Five Points District.

Chinese/Asian

The dominant ethnic group in the former Five Points District today.

Fernando Wood

The mayor who proposed New York City secede from the Union during the Civil War.

Imports

Sources of revenue that Wood believed NYC could control if it seceded.

Draft Riots

A violent uprising in NYC during the Civil War against conscription laws.

Democrats

The political party controlling Tammany Hall in the 19th century.

Boss Tweed

The corrupt leader of Tammany Hall who embezzled city funds.

Spain

The country where Boss Tweed was captured after escaping jail in the U.S.

Thomas Nast

A cartoonist who exposed Boss Tweed's corruption through his illustrations.

1898 Consolidation

The year when Brooklyn and Queens became part of New York City.

Long Island

A large island that includes Brooklyn and Queens.

Bronx Expansion

The incorporation of parts of Westchester County into New York City.

Dodgers

The former Brooklyn baseball team that later relocated to Los Angeles.

Jonas Bronck

The first European settler in the Bronx, after whom it is named.

Bronx Geography

The only NYC borough connected to the mainland of the U.S.

Borough County Names

The official names of boroughs: Richmond County (Staten Island), Kings County (Brooklyn), New York County (Manhattan).

Mount Vernon

A community north of the Bronx that shares a border with the borough.

New Rochelle

Another community located north of the Bronx.

Triborough/RFK Bridge

The bridge connecting the Bronx to Queens and Manhattan.

2010 Census

Documented NYC's population exceeding 8 million.

4-Year Terms

Duration for which NYC's mayor can be elected, limited to two terms.

Unicameral Council

A single legislative house of the New York City Council.

51 Districts

The number of districts represented in the New York City Council.

Havemeyer’s Reform

A reformer who sought to clean up Tweed's corruption but died unpopular.

Seth Low

A mayor known for implementing unpopular reforms like Sunday drinking bans.

Sunday Drinking Ban

Prohibition on alcohol sales on Sundays enforced during Seth Low's mayoralty.

Teddy Roosevelt’s Police Reforms

Changes in the NYPD that led to a new commissioner who became President.

Dutch Settlement in New Amsterdam

Established for the fur trade and strategic commerce.

Dutch Main Concern

Focus on trade and economic prosperity through beaver pelts.

Dutch Heritage in NYC Flag

The blue, white, and orange colors reflect Dutch influence.

New York City During the American Revolution

Occupied by the British for most of the war; strong Loyalist presence.

George Washington’s Inauguration

Took place at Federal Hall, Wall Street, and Broad Street intersection.

New Yorkers’ Residences (Early 19th Century)

Most lived in lower Manhattan before city expansion.

Street Commission of 1811

Created the grid system for Manhattan streets and avenues.

Ease of Implementing the Grid Plan

Feasible due to undeveloped farmland in Manhattan in 1811.

Non-Grid Area of Manhattan

Lower Manhattan, developed before the 1811 grid plan.

Impact of the Erie Canal on NYC

Boosted trade, commerce, and economic growth.

Cities Connected by the Erie Canal

Connects Buffalo to Albany, facilitating access to NYC.

Importance of NYC After the Erie Canal

Established as a major trade hub.

Mid-19th Century Immigration in NYC

Population boom due to Irish and German immigrants.

Immigrant Population Percentage

By mid-19th century, immigrants comprised about half of NYC's population.

Need for New Water System (1830s)

Contaminated water led to disease outbreaks.

High Bridge

An aqueduct carrying water from the Croton River into Manhattan.

Rampant Disease Before Water System

Cholera was widespread, causing many deaths before the new system.

Current NYC Water Supply

Today sourced from reservoirs and aqueducts in upstate New York.

Past NYC Water Supply

Previously from wells and cisterns, often polluted.

Reluctance to Go to the Tombs or Five Points

Avoided due to high crime and unsanitary conditions.

Residents and Conditions in Five Points

Plagued by poverty, overcrowding, and violence, primarily among Irish immigrants.

Secession

Act of withdrawing from a political entity, as some Southern states did.

Mayor Wood’s Secession Proposal (1861)

Argued that secession could make NYC tax-free.

Disadvantages of Secession

Risked isolation, disrupted trade, and economic instability.

Congressional Power to Pass Conscription Law

Authority to enact the draft under the U.S. Constitution.

Cause of Civil War Draft Riots

Outrage over wealthy men paying to avoid the draft.

Victims of the Draft Riots

Targeted free African Americans and abolitionists.

End of Draft Riots & National Reaction

Troops quelled riots; viewed NYC as chaotic and disloyal.

Corruption of Boss Tweed

Embezzled funds via contracts, bribery, and fraud.

Origin of Tammany Name

Named after a Native American leader, originally a social club.

Illegal Practices of Politicians

Includes bribery, voter fraud, and embezzlement.

Operation of Corrupt Political Practices

Awarding contracts for bribes and fake voter registrations.

Good Deeds of Tweed’s Organization

Built public works for immigrant support despite corruption.

Criticism of Tweed Courthouse

Notoriously expensive due to fraudulent dealings.

Five Boroughs of NYC

Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.

Cities & Towns North of Bronx

Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Yonkers.

Annexation of The Bronx

Began in 1874; completed in 1895.

Creation of the Five Boroughs

Formally established in 1898.

Similarities & Differences NYC & Federal Government

Both have branches, but NYC has a unicameral council.

Term Limits for NYC Mayor & City Council

Mayor and council members serve two 4-year terms.

Reforms by Havemeyer, Low, & Mitchel

Sought to reduce corruption but faced public resistance.

Impact of Reforms

Affected elites; working-class individuals opposed them.

Failure of Reform Attempts

Due to political resistance and public discontent.

Impact of Modern Reforms on Poor Communities

Stricter regulations affect job opportunities; anti-corruption ensures fair practices.

Corrupt Practices Exposed by Rev. Parkhurst

Revealed police and gambling corruption linked to politics.

Reforms Following Parkhurst’s Exposures

Stricter anti-corruption laws improving police accountability.