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Immigrants
During the Gilded Age, approximately 20 million immigrants came to the United States in what is known as the new immigration. As immigration increased the population of Catholics increased as well because the majority of Irish and Italians were Catholic. Many were poor peasants looking for the American Dream in unskilled manual labor in mills, mines, and factories. -
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Gilded Age
The Gilded Age had a more sinister side: It was a period where greedy, corrupt industrialists, bankers and politicians enjoyed extraordinary wealth and opulence at the expense of the working class. The wealthy had most power, not politicians, who inconspicuously held the most political power during the Gilded Age. -
William "Boss" Tweed
An American politician most notable for being the "boss" of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th century New York City and State. -
Political Machines
A political machine is a political group in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses who receive rewards for their efforts. -
Political Boss
In politics, a boss is a person who controls a unit of a political party, although they may not necessarily hold political office. ... Reformers sometimes allege that political bosses are likely guilty of corruption. Bosses may base their power on the support of numerous voters.