The paths of the Irish and Chinese immigrants in America often intersected and Nast paid attention to these conflicts. When evaluating Nast’s treatment of the Chinese it is important to consider his treatment of Irish Americans, a population whom Nast identified as the lead oppressors against the Chinese in America.

Nast had attacked the Irish, primarily for their association with William M. “Boss” Tweed, leader of Tammany Hall, the organization that ran New York City Politics.