Here is a portrayal of the the two groups. Notice the weapons being carried by a few members. This depicted the exent of how violence was a means to solve problems.
Gangs of New York, by Martin Scorsese is a movie that represents life during the mid 19th century in the infamous area known as the Five Points. There were lots of groups that formed with the intent to eliminate the other, a battle between the immigrants and the natives of New York. There were many political aspects of this historical event as well. For example, the Draft Riots in 1863 very much contributed to the uproar in the existing heat between the Irish immigrants and the African Americans. Historians argue with Scorsese that many of the Irish immigrants “found inspiration in America’s independence from England and its experiment in democracy” (p129 DiGirolamo, Gangs of New York review). There were way too many immigrants to tell who fought for what reasons and who didn’t and from the review there are very strong historical facts that are included in the movie that represent the differences in social classes and corruption in politics.
Politics “emerged from the streets” and hence why most of it was corrupt and dishonest. The two groups form their own politics in that they gather others who share their views and elect people who hold positions in politics. The Monk who was elected in the Sheriffs office position was a product of influences passed on from generations before them and hence why politics “is a substitute for violence”.