In this picture the people from Tammany Hall are throwing children into the river where the bishops (Crocodiles) are. Presumably to convert them all to catholicism.The political cartoon by Thomas Nast is about the people of Tammany Hall convincing senators of congress to fund Irish catholic schools. This is important because this brought up controversy and a rebirth of nativism from many others. This is similar to the other big businesses who would use money to get what they wanted even at the expense of others. Thomas Nast’s cartoon is preserved for it’s portrayal of Catholicism and Tammany Hall to fuel nativism and anger.
Conflicting Arguments
The Statue of Liberty is by far one of the most iconic symbols of America. Built during the Gilded age in 1886, it stood for the original idea for the first Americans. Ever since it was erected people had passed with these words carved in it, Give me your tired, your poor, "Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!". This is very significant as it shows that America will accept anyone especially those that have gone through tough times. This is what appealed to many people and contributed to the idea of the American Dream and the "Land of Opportunity". While the Statue of Liberty was a beacon of hope many immigrants did not get the warm welcome they were desiring. Many were, "Often stereotyped and discriminated against, many immigrants suffered verbal and physical abuse...". This lead many immigrants to make social enclaves where they would live in a community that consisted of the same nationality. America was slipping away to a more and more racist and isolationist country. In the coming years after the Statue of Liberty was built the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882. As it got closer to the 20th century a sense of nativism would spread resulting in actions that would be taken by America to keep other countries and people out. There has always been a battle of limiting immigration and keeping the "Golden Gates" open. Because there has been little effort to permanently accept people or permanently ban immigrants these two arguments will always be here. This is significant as it outlines the different views of the people that live in the country and how their lives are affected by new refugees coming into the country.
Synthesis
Immigrants have always wanted to make their way to America even when there was backlash from the people that were previously living here. Because of the violent regimes in the middle east many refugees have flocked to other countries. As the country of opportunity, countless refugees have moved to America. As observed during the Gilded Age there is a lot of scrutiny toward the immigrants.
Guest Perspective
How was America viewed from an immigrants perspective? “They viewed america as a safe haven where they can have opportunity and prosper, [while] nativist views [discriminated against them].” -Alex Adatsi
Works Cited https://thomasnastcartoons.com/irish-catholic-cartoons/the-american-river-ganges-1871/ https://www.howtallisthestatueofliberty.org/what-is-the-quote-on-the-statue-of-liberty/ http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/riseind/immgnts/