Thomas Nast Takes on Boss Tweed

Are you looking for a way to incorporate primary sources into your lesson plans for teaching U.S. history? This activity from our Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness resource incorporates political cartoons into a study of Tammany Hall, Boss Tweed, and a cartoonist’s attempt to show the public the corruption of Tweed and his political machine.

Use this activity to explore the role of a free press in a constitutional republic and the role political cartoons play in politics.

VIEW THE ACTIVITY HERE

Looking for more on Boss Tweed? Check out this Homework Help video. We also have a BRIdge from the Past: Art Across U.S. History video that further explores Nast's “The Tammany Tiger Loose" (1871) cartoon. Also, be sure to check out our Fabric of History podcast episode, "Boss Tweed, New York City, and the Political Machine."

Featured US Government Resource

Documents of Freedom is our primary source-based curriculum that covers history, government, and economics topics in a way that will excite your students more than a traditional textbook. In this introductory unit, students are given an overview of the entire course as well as an introduction to the Founding principles and virtues necessary for a successful constitutional republic.

Featured Student Opportunity

Encourage your students to enter our We the Students Essay Contest! This year's question is "How does an understanding of natural rights and respect build a free society?" The top prize includes $7,500 and a scholarship to Constitutional Academy this summer in Washington, DC. Essays are due by April 15th.

Copyright © 2022 Bill of Rights Institute, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
1310 North Courthouse Road, Suite 620, Arlington, Virginia 22201

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.