Immigrants and Urbanization

The New Immigrants

1. Ellis Island: inspection station for immigrants on east coast

2. Angel Island: Inspection station for immigrants on west coast

3. Melting Pot: mixture of different cultures4. Nativism: favoritism towards native-born Americans5. Chinese Exclusion Act: Act that limited Chinese

Immigration6. Gentlemen’s Agreement: Limited Japanese

emigration to the U.S.

Through the “Golden Door”

• Between 1870-1920, about 20 million Europeans immigrated to the US

• Some came to escape religious persecution, improve economic situation, get greater freedom, escape political turmoil

• Immigrants also came from Asia, Caribbean, and Mexico

Life in the New Land

• Many immigrants traveled to US on steamships in cramped, unsanitary spaces

• European immigrants entered through Ellis Island, Asian immigrants entered through Angel Island

• Cultural barriers made life difficult for immigrants

• Many immigrants settled in communities with immigrants from the same country

Immigration Restrictions

• America described as a melting pot even though some immigrants refused to give up culture and become part of American society

• Some Americans were prejudiced against immigrants and demanded restrictions on immigration

• The Chinese exclusion Act and Gentleman’s agreement were passed to limit Asian immigration, Americans blamed them for taking too many jobs

The Challenges of Urbanization

1. Urbanization: growth of cities2. Americanization movement: program to teach American

culture to immigrants3. Tenement: multifamily urban dwelling4. Mass transit: system to transport large numbers of people

on fixed routes5. Social Gospel Movement: Movement that urged people to

help the poor6. Settlement house: community center that addressed

problems in slum neighborhoods7. Jane Addams: social reformer that helped the poor

Urban Opportunities

• Many new immigrants settled in cities in early 1900’s led to rapid urbanization

• Newcomers learned about their new country through the Americanization Movement

• Farmers also moved to cities, many of which were African Americans looking to escape hardship and racial violence, many found prejudice and low wages in the North

Urban Problems

• Urbanization created problems such as housing, transportation, safe drinking water, sanitation, crime, and fires

Reformers Mobilize

• The Social Gospel Movement led many Americans to help the poor and move towards reform

• Settlement houses were formed to help immigrants make the transition of moving to the US

• Jane Addams established Hull House to help the poor of Chicago

Politics of the Gilded Age

1. Political Machine: group that controlled a political party

2. Graft: illegal use of political influence for personal gain

3. Boss Tweed: Head of New York City’s powerful Democratic political machine

4. Patronage: giving gov’t jobs to friends 5. Civil service: gov’t administration

6. Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, Chester Arthur: 19-21st presidents of US that promoted reform in politics7. Pendleton Civil Service Act: implemented merit system in civil service hiring system8. Grover Cleveland: 22nd and 24th Pres. That promoted reform9. Benjamin Harrison: 23rd Pres. Raised tariffs against wishes of the people

Emergence of Political Machines

• During 1800’s many cities were dominated by political machines that offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for support

• City Bosses were politicians that headed the political machine

• By controlling the cities’ finances and by solving problems for voters, bosses won loyalty and influence

Municipal Graft and Scandal

• Many city bosses became corrupt, became rich through graft, gained votes illegally, and took kickbacks in city funded projects

• Boss Tweed and Tamany Hall were infamous City Boss and machine in New York City

• Thomas Nast drew political cartoons depicting the corrupt Boss Tweed which would eventually lead to Tweed’s arrest in France

Civil Service Reform

• The Government eventually agreed to pass the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 to get rid of patronage and award people jobs based on merit instead of favoritism