Transcript Immigration and urbanization

IMMIGRATION AND URBANIZATION
Immigration in America
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Immigrants come to
America to find a better
life
Immigration also increased
the Industrial Boom!
Majority came from Britain,
Ireland, Germany, Italy,
Russia, China, and Japan
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From 1866-1915 25 million
immigrants came over
Immigration in America
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Most arrive in steamships
Often travel in cargo holds
1 week across the Atlantic and a 3-week journey across the Pacific
“Oh God, I was sick. Everybody was sick. I don’t even want to remember
anything about that old boat. One night I prayed to God that it would go
down because the waves were washing over it. I was that sick, I didn’t
care if it went down or not.”
- Bertha Devlin, an Irish immigrant 1923
Immigrants traveling to the United States
Conditions on the steamships were very poor and overcrowded. They were not
allowed on deck, slept in louse-infested bunks, shared toilets, and in such conditions
disease spread quickly. Some even died before they reached America.
Ellis Island
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Main immigration station on
the East Coast
Nearly 11,000 people
entered the US at Ellis
Island each day
Immigrants had to pass
several tests before they
were allowed to stay in
America
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Physical exam (5 hours),
government inspections,
literacy tests, ability to work,
money to get started, etc.
Quotes from Immigrants coming
through Ellis Island
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http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigrat
ion/tour/stop5.htm (separation)
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigrat
ion/tour/stop9.htm ($20)
Liberty Enlightening the World
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The Statue of Liberty greeted
those entering Ellis Island.
Designed by Frederick
Bartholdi, the skeletal
framework within the
monument was made by
Alexandre Eiffle
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His mother is believed to be the
model
A gift from France to
symbolize our alliance during
the American Revolution. The
people of France financed the
statue itself while Americans
financed the pedestal and
island.
The Statue of Liberty
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The Statue of Liberty was
unveiled October 28th, 1886
“Lady Liberty” portrays a
woman escaping the chains
of tyranny
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Torch – liberty
Tablet – The date of our
independence is inscribed
7 Spikes on her crown – 7 seas
and continents
Project cost $87 million and
took 2 years to complete
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/i
mmigration/tour/stop2.htm
Angel Island
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Main immigration station
on the West Coast
Immigrants were treated
more harshly here
because of their Asian
descent
Difficult questioning
 Filthy buildings
 Confined liked prisoners
until their fate was
decided
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Anti-Asian Sentiment
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Native-born workers in the
West feared their jobs would
go to the Chinese, who would
accept lower wages.
1882 Chinese Exclusion Act
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Banned entry to all Chinese
except students, teachers,
merchants, tourists, and
government officials
In 1902 Chinese immigration
was restricted indefinitely
Anti-Asian Sentiment
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San Francisco
segregated Japanese
in school.
Gentlemen’s
Agreement – Japan
would limit emigration
of unskilled workers to
America, if San
Francisco repeals its
segregation order.
Culture Shock
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Confusion and anxiety caused
by a new culture and
language
Immigrants from places like
Russia, Italy, China, and
Japan were generally not
well liked. Why?
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Previous country had yet to
experience Industrial
Revolution
Ethnic communities formed to
help immigrants cope (like
little Italy)
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Speak native language
Learn new customs together
Melting Pot
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The US becomes known
as a melting pot
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Immigrant groups
assimilate into the
dominant culture
Some argue that we are
now a salad bowl
instead of a melting pot.
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Why do you think that is?
Urbanization
Urbanization = rapid growth of cities
Many move to the cities because of more opportunities and cheaper
living
Urbanization
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6 major problems
associated with
urbanization:
Housing –
Overcrowded,
unsanitary, 2-3 families
living in a single home
Transportation –
Develop public
transportation to help;
cable cars, subways
Urbanization
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Water – Begin chlorinating
water in 1893 to make it safer
to drink
Sanitation – Animal and human
waste, pollution, garbage piled
in streets. Create sanitation
departments and sewage lines.
Fire – Limited water supply
and wood dwellings
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Cincinnati creates the 1st paid
fire department in 1853
Crime – Pickpockets, thieves,
con men, gangs
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New York city creates the first
police department in 1844
Sanitation Problems
Political Machines
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Control enough votes to
maintain political and
administrative control of
the city
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Often led by one person
“Boss” behind the scenes
Offer services to citizens
and businesses in
exchange for financial or
political support
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City jobs or contracts
Political Appointments
Help immigrants gain
citizenship
Political Machines
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Political Machines had
control over political
offices and city jobs
 Fire,
Police, Sanitation,
Etc.
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Bosses also took large
amounts of “graft” or
kickbacks
 Falsified
bills and
accepted bribes
The Tweed Ring
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Led by William Marcy
Tweed
Controlled New York
City (Tammany Hall)
Illegally took $200
million in graft
A Political cartoonist,
Thomas Nast, helped
expose Tweed
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Resulted in Tweeds arrest
The Merit System
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Reformers called for an end to the Spoils System
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Giving government jobs to those who helped them win
election
The Pendleton Act:
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Required jobs in civil service to be based on qualifications,
not political connections