Immigration 1865 - 1900 Business and industrialization centered on cities. The ever increasing number of factories created intense need for labor people in rural areas moving to city, immigrants from Europe to U.S. Result – U. S. transformed from agrarian to urban nation; demographics of country shifted dramatically.

Immigration 10 million European immigrants between 1860 and 1890-from northern and western Europe 1890s-new immigrants came to US Northeast - Irish and Italians Midwest - Germans West - Chinese. (railroad system, settled in California). More than 500,000 injuries to workers were reported each year in 1880s and 1890s. workers- resented immigrants’ willingness to accept lower wages and work in worse conditions.

transition difficult. Often poor, lived in dirty, crowded conditions, worked unskilled jobs in dangerous factories. Immigrants, (especially “new”), faced extreme discrimination in workplace from native

election of 1880, both parties included anti-immigration measures 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, ten-year ban on Chinese immigration.

The Development of Urban Life The growth of cities gave rise to tenements 1870s and 1880s - rich moved outside city to escape. few windows, limited plumbing and electricity, tiny rooms packed with people, mostly blacks and immigrants. main housing available in slums and ghettos - blacks and immigrants forced by poverty, prejudice, even law. fostered disease, high infant mortality, and horrific levels of pollution, and often the site of racial and ethnic strife. Developments sprung up – clean; preservation of green space - sharp contrast to cities. Electric streetcars, commuter trains, and trolleys transported to and from city jobs.

Social Gospel movement Reformers dedicated to service to the poor Jane Addams – settlement houses Settlement houses provided assistance to the poor – education, shelter, job skills, English classes

Machine Politics Local politics marked by machine politics “Machines” run by “party bosses” professional politicians dominated city government – Boss Tweed - Tammany Hall (NYC) thrived on corruption - contributed to system’s collapse turn of the century. (system and party held power). controlled voter loyalty by distributing political and economic benefits such as offices, jobs, and city contracts. Preyed on immigrants’ position (or lack of) controlled the jobs of thousands of city workers influenced the activities of schools, hospitals, and other city-run services.

U.S. Presidents during period presidents of this period generally weak, pro-business, never served more than one term in office (exception Grover Cleveland-served two non-consecutive terms). None too important - helpful to have general sense of politics during the period. Characterized by “Gilded Age” – weak, prone to corruption, ineffective, etc.

PRESIDENTS (cont) James Garfield -1880, fatally shot four months after taking office. Chester Arthur, Garfield’s vice president - 1881 to 1885. seen as corrupt politician, supporter of machine politics Congress passed Pendleton Act - civil service. Grover Cleveland -1885 to 1889. reduction of tariffs 1887 - Interstate Commerce Act . Benjamin Harrison - 1889 to 1893. pro-business Republican, supported high protective tariffs, panic of 1893. Grover Cleveland second term -1893 to 1897 (two terms out of sequence). dealing with depression that started in 1893, under Harrison.