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Political activity was a key part of Irish working class life. Famine era Immigrants' lack of economic resources limited the opportunities open to them. But through local politics, they found ways to advance themselves. The New York Irish joined the Democratic Party and the Tammany Hall political club, and helped elect Fernando Wood as mayor. Irish votes helped Tammany become the nation's first urban "political machine." At Tammany's core was the "ward boss," who delivered immigrants' votes to the Democrats. In return, the ward boss received "patronage" - city jobs for his local supporters. Ward bosses also gave out emergency aid and holiday charity, such as Christmas turkeys. The Irish accepted Tammany corruption because ward bosses provided concrete services to the community. Irish communities grew in size and power in cities such as Boston, Chicago and Detroit, as well as New York. Native-born working people responded with hostility. In the 1840s, "nativist" rioters burned Catholic churches and killed Irish immigrants in Philadelphia and elsewhere. In the 1850s, nativist working men joined the genteel in a national anti-immigrant political party, the "Know Nothings." While this party quickly collapsed, nativist activity continued, fueling the growth of the new Republican Party.
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