political science

  • Hudson – The river separating New York and New Jersey is named after him, who sailed his ship, the Half Moon, into New York in 1609.

  • Peter Stuyvesant – had a wooden leg, brought order to the colony under Dutch rule.

  • Beaver – The Dutch traded beaver skins, which were sought after in Europe; the beaver is also the animal on the City of New York flag.

  • Gotham – New York was nicknamed "Gotham" during the 19th century by the novelist Washington Irving, who also invented the term "Knickerbocker."

  • Triangular – With British rule, New York was part of this trade route, connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

  • Loyalists – During the American Revolution, many in New York remained loyal to the British

  • Patriots- colonists who supported the Revolution and were called.

  • 1789 – George Washington became the first President in this year, inaugurated at Federal Hall at the intersection of Wall Street and Broad Street. However, New York remained the capital for just one year.

  • Erie – A lake that the Erie Canal, completed in 1825, connected to the city of Buffalo, facilitating rapid population growth in New York during the 19th century.

  • Hudson – A river along which the city of Albany is located; from Albany, travelers could then move south to New York City.

  • Irish – One of the two largest immigrant groups in New York City by 1860, contributing to the city's rapid expansion.

  • German – One of the two largest immigrant groups in New York City by 1860, playing a significant role in its development.

  • Reservoir System – A crucial infrastructure project that allowed for the city's growth by bringing clean water from upstate New York to New York City.

  • Croton River – A river dammed in Westchester County in the 1830s to create a water supply system for New York City.

  • Croton Dam – A dam built in Westchester County in the 1830s to store water, ensuring a steady supply for New York City.

  • High Bridge – A bridge that carried water from the Croton Dam over the Harlem River, connecting Manhattan and the Bronx.

  • Aqueducts and Tunnels – Modern infrastructure that continues to bring water from upstate New York to New York City today.

  • Five Points District – New York’s first great slum, known for its extreme poverty and crime, where few native-born New Yorkers would venture.

  • Toombs – A prison located in the Five Points District that housed both men and women.

  • Chinese/Asian – The dominant ethnic group in the former Five Points District today.

  • Fernando Wood – the mayor of New York City during the Civil War, proposed that the city secede from the Union, believing it could be tax-free by collecting all revenues on imports.

  • Imports – The source of revenue that Fernando Wood believed New York City could collect instead of paying federal taxes if it seceded from the Union.

  • Congress/Federal Government – The governing body that passed a conscription (draft) law during the Civil War, allowing men to avoid the draft by paying for a substitute.

  • 300 – The amount of money a man could pay to hire a substitute and avoid being drafted into the military during the Civil War.

  • Draft Riots – A violent uprising in New York City in response to draft policies, lasting for a week and resulting in widespread destruction and the deaths of hundreds, including many free African Americans.

  • Democrats – The political party that controlled Tammany Hall during the 19th century and continued its influence until Tammany’s downfall.

  • Boss Tweed – The corrupt leader of Tammany Hall after the Civil War, who embezzled millions from the city, with one of the worst examples being the wasteful spending on the Tweed Courthouse, which is now the headquarters of the New York City Department of Education.

  • Spain – The country where Boss Tweed was captured after escaping jail in the United States.

  • Thomas Nast – a cartoonist whose political illustrations exposed Boss Tweed’s corruption to the public.

  • 1898 Consolidation – The year when New York City expanded to include Brooklyn and Queens, significantly increasing its size and population.

  • Long Island – The large island, 120 miles in length, that includes the western sections of Brooklyn and Queens.

  • Bronx Expansion – The borough grew when a portion of Westchester County was incorporated into New York City.

  • Dodgers – The Brooklyn baseball team that remained for years after the borough joined New York City but later relocated to Los Angeles.

  • Jonas Bronck – One of the first European settlers in the Bronx, after whom the borough is believed to be named.

  • Bronx Geography – The only borough in New York City that is connected to the mainland of the United States, while the other four boroughs are either islands or parts of islands.

  • Borough County Names – Staten Island is officially called Richmond County, Brooklyn is Kings County, and Manhattan is New York County, while Queens and the Bronx retain their borough names.

  • Mount Vernon – A community located north of the Bronx that shares a border with the borough.

  • New Rochelle – A community located north of the Bronx that shares a border with the borough.

  • Triborough/RFK Bridge – The bridge that connects the Bronx to both Queens and Manhattan.

  • 2010 Census – The year when New York City's population exceeded 8 million, with Brooklyn being the most populated borough.

  • 4-Year Terms – The mayor of New York City can be elected to two terms, each lasting four years, for a total of eight years.

  • Unicameral Council – The New York City Council has a single legislative house, rather than a two-house system.

  • 51 Districts – The City Council is composed of representatives from 51 separate districts across the city.

  • Havemeyer’s Reform – A reformer who attempted to clean up the corruption left behind by the Tweed era but died in office as an unpopular figure.

  • Seth Low – A mayor who implemented reforms by cutting salaries, cracking down on gambling, and attempting to halt drinking on Sundays, which made him unpopular with many New Yorkers.

  • Sunday Drinking Ban – A prohibition on alcohol sales on Sundays that was enforced under Seth Low’s administration, contributing to his unpopularity.

  • Teddy Roosevelt’s Police Reforms – Reforms in the New York Police Department led to a new leader taking over, who later became President of the United States.
    Gotham – A nickname for New York City given by writer Washington Irving in the 19th century.

  • Dutch Settlement in New Amsterdam – The Dutch established New Amsterdam to create a profitable fur trade and take advantage of its strategic location for commerce.

  • Dutch Main Concern – The Dutch were primarily focused on trade and economic prosperity, especially through the exchange of beaver pelts, which were highly valued in Europe.

  • Dutch Heritage in NYC Flag – The New York City flag features blue, white, and orange, reflecting the Dutch influence and the flag of the Dutch Republic.

  • New York City During the American Revolution – The city was occupied by the British for most of the war and served as a Loyalist stronghold.

  • George Washington’s Inauguration – George Washington was inaugurated at Federal Hall, located at the intersection of Wall Street and Broad Street in New York City.

  • New Yorkers’ Residences in the Early 19th Century – Most people lived in lower Manhattan, as the city had not yet expanded far north.

  • Street Commission of 1811 – Created the Commissioners’ Plan of 1811, which established Manhattan’s grid system of streets and avenues.

  • Ease of Implementing the Grid Plan – The grid system was easy to implement because much of Manhattan was still undeveloped farmland in 1811.

  • Non-Grid Area of Manhattan – Lower Manhattan does not follow the grid pattern because it was developed before the 1811 plan.

  • Impact of the Erie Canal on NYC – The Erie Canal boosted trade and commerce, bringing more goods, people, and economic growth to the city.

  • Cities Connected by the Erie Canal – The Erie Canal connects Buffalo and Albany, allowing access to the Hudson River and ultimately to New York City.

  • Importance of NYC After the Erie Canal – The canal made NYC a major trade hub, solidifying its status as an economic and shipping center.

  • Mid-19th Century Immigration in NYC – Immigration caused a population boom, with large numbers of Irish and German immigrants arriving in the city.

  • Immigrant Population Percentage – By the mid-19th century, immigrants made up about half of New York City's population.

  • Need for a New Water System in the 1830s – The rapid growth of the city led to contaminated drinking water, causing frequent disease outbreaks.

  • High Bridge – An aqueduct built to carry water from the Croton River into Manhattan, improving the city’s water supply.

  • Rampant Disease Before Water System – Cholera was widespread and deadly before the new water system was built.

  • Current NYC Water Supply – Today, water comes from reservoirs and aqueducts in upstate New York.

  • Past NYC Water Supply – Before the modern system, water came from local wells and cisterns, which were often polluted.

  • Reluctance to Go to the Tombs or Five Points – Most people avoided the Tombs prison and Five Points district due to high crime, poverty, and unsanitary conditions.

  • Residents and Conditions in Five Points – The area was home to poor immigrants, particularly Irish, and was plagued by overcrowding, disease, and gang violence.

  • Secession – The act of withdrawing from a nation or political entity, as some Southern states did before the Civil War.

  • Mayor Wood’s Secession Proposal (1861) – He argued that secession would allow New York City to remain tax-free by collecting its own import revenues instead of giving them to the federal government.

  • Disadvantages of Secession – It would have isolated New York from federal protection, disrupted trade, and potentially led to economic instability.

  • Congressional Power to Pass a Conscription Law – Congress has the power to enact conscription (the draft) under the U.S. Constitution’s authority to raise and support armies.

  • Cause of the Civil War Draft Riots – Many working-class men, particularly Irish immigrants, were outraged that the wealthy could pay $300 to avoid the draft.

  • Victims of the Draft Riots – Free African Americans and abolitionists were targeted by rioters, many of whom blamed them for the war.

  • End of the Draft Riots & National Reaction – The riots were stopped by federal troops, and the rest of the country viewed New York as disloyal and chaotic.

  • Corruption of Boss Tweed – He embezzled millions through inflated contracts, bribery, and voter fraud, controlling New York politics as head of Tammany Hall.

  • Origin of the Name "Tammany" – The name comes from Tamanend, a Native American leader, and originally referred to a social club before becoming a political organization.

  • Illegal Practices of Politicians & Government Officials – They engaged in bribery, kickbacks, voter fraud, and embezzlement of public funds.

  • Operation of Corrupt Political Practices – Officials awarded contracts to businesses in exchange for bribes and used fake voter registrations to control elections.

  • Good Deeds of Tweed’s Organization – Despite corruption, they built public works like schools, roads, and orphanages, helping immigrants find jobs and housing.

  • Criticism of the Tweed Courthouse – It was outrageously expensive due to fraud, with items like chairs costing thousands of dollars each.

  • Five Boroughs of NYC – Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.

  • Cities & Towns North of The Bronx – Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, and Yonkers.

  • Annexation of The Bronx – NYC began annexing parts of The Bronx in 1874 and completed it in 1895.

  • Creation of the Five Boroughs – NYC officially became the five boroughs in 1898.

  • Similarities & Differences Between NYC & Federal Government – Both have executive, legislative, and judicial branches, but NYC has a unicameral City Council instead of a bicameral legislature.

  • Term Limits for NYC Mayor & City Council – The mayor can serve two 4-year terms, and the City Council members are also limited to two 4-year terms.

  • Reforms by Havemeyer, Low, & Mitchel – They fought corruption, cut salaries, and tried to enforce strict moral laws, but faced public resistance.

  • Impact of Reforms – The reforms affected government officials and business elites the most, but many working-class people opposed them.

  • Failure of Reform Attempts – Many failed due to political resistance, public discontent, and the influence of corrupt institutions.

  • Impact of Modern Reforms on Poor & Immigrant Communities – Stricter regulations could limit job opportunities, but anti-corruption measures would ensure fairer government practices.

  • Corrupt Practices Exposed by Rev. Parkhurst – He uncovered police bribery, illegal gambling, and prostitution rings linked to politicians.

  • Reforms Following Parkhurst’s Exposures – NYC enacted stricter laws against corruption, improving police accountability and oversight.