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Immigration. Chapter 10, section 1. “New Immigrants” . Prior to the 1870s, most immigrants had come from Protestant-dominated countries in northern and western Europe. These immigrants were generally accepted into the workforce.
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Immigration Chapter 10, section 1
“New Immigrants” • Prior to the 1870s, most immigrants had come from Protestant-dominated countries in northern and western Europe. • These immigrants were generally accepted into the workforce. • The “new immigrants” that arrived from the 1870s-early 1900s were generally unskilled, poor, catholic or Jewish from southern and eastern Europe. • Because these immigrants came in such large numbers, Americans felt threatened by the numerous cultures and languages.
‘Push’ and ‘Pull’ Factors • ‘Push’ factors factors that drove immigrants out of their home countries • Loss of land • Wars and political upheaval • Religious persecution • ‘Pull’ factors factors that attracted immigrants to the United States • Large tracts of land • Abundance of work • Religious/political freedom • Family already here
Immigrant Experience • Immigrants faced both a difficult journey, as well as difficult process to be admitted into the United States. • Journey • Very little money only brought what was absolutely needed and could carry; • Traveled in steerage, the crowded lower decks of a steamship; • Cramped and dirty– illnesses spread very quickly, so some passengers did die during the journey
Arrival in America • Immigrants coming from Europe would check in at Ellis Island in New York City. • In order to enter, immigrants had to be healthy and show they had money, a skill, or a sponsor already in the United States. • Only about 2% of immigrants were denied entrance into the U.S. • Immigrants from Asia would check in at Angel Island in San Francisco. • Most of the immigrants were Chinese, and often times kept for weeks at a time, unlike their Ellis Island counterparts.
Challenges for Immigrants • Most immigrants lived in ethnic neighborhoods in cities once they had arrived. • Many citizens were not accepting of these immigrants because of nativism– the belief that native-born, white Americans were superior to newcomers. • Often times immigrants underwent a process known as Americanization. • They would learn English and American dress. • Some saw the U.S. as a ‘melting pot’ where people from all nationalities blended into one culture.
Cities Expand and Change Chapter 10, Section 2
A Nation of Cities • During the late 19th century, the U.S. experienced a rapid urbanization. • Cities offered many advantages for both citizens and immigrants. • Wide variety of jobs for men and women; • Greater access to schools for children; • Greater access to entertainment and cultural activities; • Opportunity to raise a family’s standard of living.
Technological Improvements • Mass transit improved transportation within these growing cities. • This helped encourage the movement of the middle-class into the suburbs. • Cities became more functional and beautiful as the concept of city planning grew. • Skyscrapers dominated the city skyline, and with the development of the elevator safety brake by Elisha Otis, they grew in height.
Problems of City Life • As cities expanded and grew, many problems also arose. • Substandard housing known as tenements (low-cost multi-family housing designed to accommodate as many families as possible) spread; • Trash and filth littered the streets; • Lack of clean water; • High incidence of crime.
Social and Cultural Trends Chapter 10, Section 3
Americans Become Consumers • The late 1800s are often referred to as the ‘Gilded Age’, a term taken from a Mark Twain novel. • It referred to the U.S. as a gold-covered rotten apple. • The U.S. seemed to be better on the outside, but a closer look showed the true problems. • Consumption patterns changed during the late 19th century because people had more money to spend. • Advertising emerged to attract consumers and department stores emerged encouraging consumers to buy brand-name goods.
Mass Culture • Improvements in transportation and the growth of cities encouraged the spread of culture on a widespread scale. This was known as mass culture. • Mass culture spread through newspapers, books and art. • Public education spread as well, in which children took the same courses across the country. • New forms of entertainment emerged, including: amusement parks, outdoor events, vaudeville shows, movies, and spectator sports.