1. Irish Immigrants Had Major Ties with Tammany
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While Tammany Hall always had strong ties with New York City’s proliferating immigrant constituency, immigrants were not accepted into Tammany Hall until the early 1820’s. However, after protests from Irish militants in 1817, and the consequent invasion of several Tammany offices, the political machine came to realize the substantial influence Irish immigrants could have in the future of the city. Thereafter, Tammany Hall began accepting Irish immigrants as members of the group.
Throughout the mid 1840’s and early 1850’s, Irish immigrants became even more influential for Tammany, as famine in Ireland increased their numbers in New York City to 130,000. Tammany provided these new immigrants with employment, shelter and even citizenship, in exchange for their votes. By 1855, 34 percent of New York City’s voter population consisted of Irish immigrants, all of whom voted in favor of Tammany officials.
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