Bell Ringer What would be the most difficult part of moving to a new country? What would be the most exciting part?

America Moves to the City Immigration and Urbanization

Coming to America

The Urban Frontier Population doubles between 1870-1900 Urban population tripled People attracted to the cities for job opportunities. Millions of immigrants looking for a better life

The New Colossus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" Emma Lazarus, 1883

Immigrant Fears

Old Immigrants New Immigrants Most from Northern and Western Europe Fair-skinned, Anglo-Saxon type Came from countries with democratic backgrounds Were mainly Protestant (except Irish) Generally had some education and money Mostly from Southern or Eastern Europe Not considered “white” Europeans Came from countries with dictatorships, socialism, and some were even anarchists Mainly Catholic Generally uneducated with little money or job training

PUSH/PULL Overpopulation War Discrimination Economic opportunity Social mobility Religious toleration 25% of immigrants came to America to work and then return home with their fortunes.

New Immigration New Immigrants generally settled in areas of the same ethnicity – “Little Italy”, “Little Poland”, “China Town” Set up systems to keep traditions: Catholic schools, foreign language newspapers, ethnic restaurants, theatres, and social clubs

Ellis Island Ellis Island: Main immigration station in the U.S. between 1892- 1924 Over 12 million immigrants Nearly half of Americans can trace their lineage back to Ellis Island January 1, 1892 – Annie Moore, a 15 year-old Irish girl, was the very first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island.

Coming to America

The Great Hall Coming to America

What’s In A Name? Try to pronounce the following names: Wilczynski Hudzietz Nüchter Ikospentarhos Wojciech Many families’ names were changed upon arrival, either by confused clerks, illiterate immigrants, or to make assimilation easier Aivaliotis Marcic Taaffe Szilágyi Björnus

Famous immigrants: Science fiction novelist Isaac Asimov (Russia) Composer Irving Berlin (Belarus) – Wrote “Blue Skies”, “God Bless America”, “Puttin’ On The Ritz”, “White Christmas” Chef Ettore Boiardi (Chef Boyardee) (Italy) Film director Frank Capra (Italy) - Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Arsenic and Old Lace, It's a Wonderful Life Cosmetologist Max Factor (Poland) Comedian Bob Hope (England) Actor Cary Grant (England) Pop singer and actor Al Jolson (Lithuania) Gangster Lucky Luciano (Italy) Actor Béla Lugosi (Hungary) Actor Edward G. Robinson (Romania) The Trapp Family Singers (Austria) Actor Rudolph Valentino (Italy) Olympic swimming medalist and actor (Tarzan) Johnny Weissmuller (Austria- Hungary)

Immigration on the West Coast

Angel Island Main Western immigration center from 1910-1940 Located in San Francisco Bay Most immigrants from China Extremely poor treatment Held for long periods of time Rounds of interrogation Often still deported

Angel Island Poetry The experiences of the detainees is documented in hundreds of poems that have been carved into the walls of the Angel Island detention center.

Many fearful of cultural differences between European Americans and Chinese immigrants Chinese relegated to menial labor Americans afraid of Chinese “stealing” their jobs Demonized for their religious beliefs, strange customs, and use of opium. Chinese Exclusion Act (1886) – banned the immigration of Chinese Chinese Prejudice

America Moves to the Cities American Urbanization

The Cities Grow Up The electric trolley and cable cars allow the cities to expand outward Architect Louis Sullivan, father of the skyscraper, introduced the ideal of “form follows function” The dumbbell apartment – had an airshaft vertically down through the building to let in air The wealthy began moving to the countryside – far away from the overcrowded, dirty cities.

Lifestyles of the rich and famous Champagne wishes and caviar dreams!

The Astors “Old Money” vs. “nouveau riche.” Lived lavishly and entertained grandly Lady Caroline Astor created The New York Social Register, or “The 400” One must have had at least $1 million in ready cash At least three generations of wealth Never labored a day in their life The Astors

The Beechwood Summer Cottage

Life in the Tenements

“Helping” Those Less Fortunate City governments could not provide the services needed for the growing population Political machine: A political organization in which a ”boss” who gains the support of individuals and businesses, who receive rewards (usually jobs) for getting out the vote. Relied on immigrants for their voter-base.

“Helping” Those Less Fortunate Tammany Hall: A Democratic political machine in New York City; held political control from 1854-1932. Notorious for graft (use of authority for personal gain) and political corruption. Used Irish immigrants as their voter base; helped Irish assimilate and gain power. William “Boss” Tweed: Leader of Tammany Hall between the 1850s-70s Able to dole out city jobs and projects to his supporters Found guilty of stealing $45 million from taxpayers through graft. “Helping” Those Less Fortunate

How the Other Half Lives – Jacob Riis A book documenting the squalid living conditions in New York City slums in the 1880s. Middle and Upper classes were shocked by the destitution of the slums.

Bandit’s Roost, 1888 Five Points, New York