Warm up: Unit 1 Vocab Horizontal Integration Vertical Integration Bessemer Process Social Darwinism Corporation

1880-1921 23 million+ immigrants arrived in the U 1880-1921 23 million+ immigrants arrived in the U.S looking for jobs, opportunities US didn’t have quotas on how many immigrants from a particular country could enter the US From 1880 to 1921, a record setting 23 million immigrants arrived in the USA. At the time,. From the colonial era to 1880, most immigrants to America came from England, Ireland, or Germany in Northern Europe. Between 1880 and 1921, approximately 70% of all immigrants entering the USA came from southern and eastern Europe (Italy, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Poland). These “new immigrants” were typically young, male, and either Catholic or Jewish. Most spoke little or no English. The majority were unskilled agricultural laborers with little money or education.

Most immigrant groups that had formerly come to America by choice seemed distinct, but in fact had many similarities. Most had come from Northern and Western Europe. Most had some experience with representative democracy. With the exception of the Irish, most were Protestant. Many were literate, and some possessed a fair degree of wealth.

1880-1921:70% of immigrants came from southern and eastern Europe “New immigrants” were typically young, male, Catholic/Jewish, spoke little or no English 1880-1921:70% of immigrants came from southern and eastern Europe Majority were unskilled agricultural laborers with little money/education From the colonial era to 1880, most immigrants came from England, Ireland, or Germany in Northern Europe In 1900, 14 percent of the American population was foreign born, compared to 8 percent a century later. 

75% of all immigrants entered the US through Ellis Island Immigrants had to pass a physical exam Immigrants questioned to make sure that they were not criminals, could work, & had some money The processing of immigrants on Ellis Island was an ordeal that might take five hours or more. First, they. Those who passed the medical exam then reported to a government inspector. The

Many Americans expressed nativism and viewed immigrants with a sense of fear, suspicion, & hostility Many Americans accused immigrants of taking jobs away from “real” Americans & called for quotas based on ethnicity, religion, political and social beliefs.

The Gilded Age experienced massive urbanization 1850-15% of Americans lived in cities 1900-40% of Americans lived in cities City growth was due to rural Americans moving to cities & immigrants entering the USA

Cities expanded outward from industrial centers in the central business districts to a ring of outer suburbs As cities grew larger, trolley lines, elevated rail lines, subways were created Engineering innovations, such as expansive bridges and skyscrapers, led to modern American cities

Most American cities were not prepared for rapid growth Many urban poor developed lung disease or tuberculosis Most urban immigrants lived in tenements: low rent apartments built in the slums Dumbell floor plan; Half of Manhattan’s fires were in tenement buildings. ive to nine people lived in a single room which was as big as an apartment. About 60% of immigrant babies died before their first birthday

About 2/3 of immigrants settled in cities and lived in ethnic neighborhoods called enclaves Enclaves provided new immigrants with a sense of community and security. as the immigrants were surrounded by the familiar customs, food and language of their homeland

Majority of immigrants worked in industrial jobs Most immigrants were unskilled & willing to accept almost any job, no matter how un-attractive or low paying Average salary was 10 cents/hour and 12-16 hours per day in dangerous & unsanitary conditions Industries were rapidly growing and in need of cheap workers Factories were not the best places to work. The only light present was the sunlight that came through the windows. Machines spit out smoke and in some factories, workers came out covered in black soot by the end of the day. There were a plethora of machines with not many safety precautions. This resulted in many accidents. The workers only received a break for lunch and a break for dinner.  Children were paid less than 10 cents an hour for fourteen hour days of work. They were used for simpler, unskilled jobs. Many children had physical deformities because of the lack of exercise and sunlight. 

Around 1.75 million children joined the work force in the Gilded Age Children (ages 10-15) worked up to 15 hours a day Very common in mining because their small size worked well in cramped spaces

Middle-class Americans actually saw their work time decrease Many middle-class Americans enjoyed amusement parks, bicycling, vaudeville theater (variety shows), and sports such as baseball and boxing As industrialization occurred, the middle class emerged. The middle class, skilled workers, managers, clerks, accountants, and others, had the money they needed to survive, and had money left over for other leisure goods. This extra money enabled them to live comfortably