(Unitarianism is a sect of Christianity that does not believe in the Trinity or the divinity of Christ, but believes that God is a single being.) At that time the city was run by a dishonest political machine, or an unelected governing system, headed by William Marcy "Boss" Tweed (1823–1878). Tweed stole millions from the city and placed his friends and supporters in important government positions in order to maintain his power.
In addition to its political problems, New York City was also experiencing a massive inflow of immigrants during the 1860s. The newcomers were arriving in such large numbers that terrible overcrowding resulted, and hastily constructed tenements (rundown apartments that barely meet minimum standards of safety, sanitation, and comfort) provided a very poor quality of life. While wealthy New Yorkers lived elegantly on Fifth Avenue and in other comfortable parts of the city, the areas in which the immigrants were crowded became increasingly filthy and dangerous.
When Alger arrived there were tens of thousands of homeless children in New York City. They were known as Street Arabs, since in those days many Americans associated Arabs with nomads, or wanderers.
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