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- Understanding Cause and Effect What factors do you think allow some time periods to have greater political corruption than other time periods?

- Understanding Cause and Effect What factors do you think allow some time periods to have greater political corruption than other time periods?

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**Interpreting Political Cartoons** **Activity 12** **Urban Corruption** Perhaps the most dishonest of all politicians in the "Gilded Age" was William M. Tweed, called "Boss" Tweed. Tweed held various offices in New York City and New York State between 1851 and 1871. The most famous example of his dishonesty was the building of the "Tweed Courthouse" in New York City. During construction, Tweed ordered all contractors to add 100 percent to their bills and give the amount that was overcharged to the Tammany Ring. Under this system, New York City ended up paying $170,730 for 40 tables and chairs. When word began to reach the public, Thomas Nast drew the cartoon shown below for the New York Times. **Directions:** Study the cartoon below, and then answer the questions that follow. *Cartoon Description:* The cartoon depicts a group of men, all pointing fingers at each other. Each man represents a different corrupt individual or entity, all deflecting blame. The caption below reads: "Who stole the people's money? - Do tell, N.Y. Times. 'Twas him." This illustration is a critique of the rampant corruption of the time, especially focusing on how each corrupt official deflects responsibility onto others, creating a cycle of blame with no accountability. *[Image attribution: Library of Congress, Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.]*
Transcribed Image Text:**Interpreting Political Cartoons** **Activity 12** **Urban Corruption** Perhaps the most dishonest of all politicians in the "Gilded Age" was William M. Tweed, called "Boss" Tweed. Tweed held various offices in New York City and New York State between 1851 and 1871. The most famous example of his dishonesty was the building of the "Tweed Courthouse" in New York City. During construction, Tweed ordered all contractors to add 100 percent to their bills and give the amount that was overcharged to the Tammany Ring. Under this system, New York City ended up paying $170,730 for 40 tables and chairs. When word began to reach the public, Thomas Nast drew the cartoon shown below for the New York Times. **Directions:** Study the cartoon below, and then answer the questions that follow. *Cartoon Description:* The cartoon depicts a group of men, all pointing fingers at each other. Each man represents a different corrupt individual or entity, all deflecting blame. The caption below reads: "Who stole the people's money? - Do tell, N.Y. Times. 'Twas him." This illustration is a critique of the rampant corruption of the time, especially focusing on how each corrupt official deflects responsibility onto others, creating a cycle of blame with no accountability. *[Image attribution: Library of Congress, Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.]*
**Analyzing the Cartoon** 1. What does the caption "Who Stole the People’s Money?" suggest about the point of view of the cartoonist? - - - 2. Which of the men is Boss Tweed? How does the cartoonist succeed in making him look ridiculous? - - - 3. From the looks of the men in Tweed’s circle, what classes of people appear to be part of the ring? How does the cartoonist show this? - - - 4. What do you think is Nast’s opinion of the state of urban government at the time of Boss Tweed? - - - --- **Critical Thinking** 5. **Understanding Cause and Effect** What factors do you think allow some time periods to have greater political corruption than other time periods? - - - 6. **Predicting Consequences** What do you think are some of the most serious consequences of widespread corruption in government? - - - *Page 24 of Interpreting Political Cartoons* *Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.*
Transcribed Image Text:**Analyzing the Cartoon** 1. What does the caption "Who Stole the People’s Money?" suggest about the point of view of the cartoonist? - - - 2. Which of the men is Boss Tweed? How does the cartoonist succeed in making him look ridiculous? - - - 3. From the looks of the men in Tweed’s circle, what classes of people appear to be part of the ring? How does the cartoonist show this? - - - 4. What do you think is Nast’s opinion of the state of urban government at the time of Boss Tweed? - - - --- **Critical Thinking** 5. **Understanding Cause and Effect** What factors do you think allow some time periods to have greater political corruption than other time periods? - - - 6. **Predicting Consequences** What do you think are some of the most serious consequences of widespread corruption in government? - - - *Page 24 of Interpreting Political Cartoons* *Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.*
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