The+Trial+of+Boss+Tweed

=__The Trial of Boss Tweed__=

// Who's the Boss? //
William M. Tweed (aka Boss Tweed) was a New York politician and Democratic Party leader in the post civil war era until his eventual undoing from years of involvement in corruption--most notably during the building of the three and half story New York City Courthouse (the "Tweed" courthouse). Tweed is often a symbol of the political cronyism and blatant misuse of power during the early Gilded Age.

Best Website
I'm about to shock my colleagues. But the most comprehensive site I've found so far is the Boss Tweed entry on Wikipedia. I know. I know. I know. But I really struggled to find a more straight forward and concise assessment of the man's assent and eventual downfall. I honestly look forward to learning where I went wrong in my search. But for now this is what I found. I apologize to the historians.

Digital History's Boss Tweed article, Lower Manhattan.info, and A brief history of the Tweed Courthouse were helpful as well but not as useful as the aforementioned link.

Primary Source Option
Harp Week's collection of Thomas Nast political cartoons is a great primary source option. Nast famously excoriated the politician's corrupt policies in many of his illustrations. Tammany Hall, Tweed Ring is one place to start.



Possible Lesson
__Historical Thinking Skill__: Teaching with primary sources and understanding historical debate and controversy

__Rationale__: Help students establish a clearer understanding of not only who Boss Tweed was but what he personifies in the context of the Gilded Age. Promote a conversation about bias and point of view. How do Thomas Nast's cartoons influence the legacy of William Tweed?

__Activity__: Each student should be assigned or discover a Thomas Nast cartoon depicting Boss Tweed or his Tammany Hall connections. Students should respond to the cartoon as if writing to the editor of the magazine printing the cartoon. Students will write from the point of view of either someone who supports the Nast's view point or disagrees with the cartoon.