Immigration and Urbanization Chapter 3, Section 3

Overview In the three decades following the civil war, the population of urban areas tripled. Millions of immigrants came to America in search of better paying jobs created by the industrial revolution. The increase of immigrants led to feelings of “Nativism” and ban immigration. People lived in cramped housing, crime was common, and disease spread quickly.

Immigration to the U.S. After Civil War, over 14 Million people migrated to US 243,000 from Asia & 11,000,000 Europe US had jobs and few immigration restrictions

Immigration to the U.S. Northern Europe = “Old Immigrants” 1820 – 1860 Skilled workers & had some money Southern Europe = “New Immigrants” 1880 – 1924 Unskilled workers / Little experience & no money

Ships to America Most Traveled in “Steerage” - basic accommodation Crowded, Bunks and washrooms smelled Poor sanitation “Imagine the bathrooms after people have been on a ship for 14 days!”

Ellis Island 14 day passage landed at Ellis Island in New York Processing Center for Immigrants on East Coast Most took a day to pass through customs

Ellis Island Cont… People were scrutinized & given: Medical Checks Mental Checks Many did not pass, Sent back on ships Often separated from families Often detained for months!!

Opened: January 1, 1892 and was closed in 1954, over twelve million immigrants processed

Ellis Island http://www.ellisisland.org

Asian Immigration to U.S. Chinas population @ 30 Million – major unemployment, famine & poverty. Taiping Rebellion happened in 1850 Discovery of gold in Ca. led many migrating to U.S. Processed through Angel Island Mostly young men

Resurgence of “Nativism” So much immigration led to the feeling of “Nativism” Preference for “Native” born people and the desire to limit immigration 1882 – Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act - barred Chinese for 10 years from the U.S. Population dropped drastically, finally repealed in 1943

Adjustment to American Life How well immigrants did depend on how well they learned English & American Culture 1 in 3 returned to Europe

Urbanization Cities had 2,500 people grew to 10 million or more NY went from 800,000 to 3.5 million Moved to cities for higher paying jobs Chance for Social mobility 1840 -130 Cities – 1900 over 1700 Cities

Class Separation Poor lived in bad areas, high crime, poor sanitation Poor lived in “Tenement Houses” or “Dumbbell House” (Well ventilated) Most made $450 a yr. Rich lived well, own homes

Housing & Mass Transit Due to population – engineers developed “Upward” expansion. Steel could bear building weight Sky scrapers developed to house people (Flat Iron Building in NY) Transportation – Horse cars and Cable cars 1873 – cable cars intro.

Jacob Riis Jacob Riis - “How the Other Half Lives” Documented immigrant living / working conditions Bring attention to immigrant suffering

Jacob Riis

Jacob Riis

Jacob Riis

Child Labor

Urban Problems Immigrants needed job, housing, food, and protection Political Machines provided these needs in exchange for votes

Political Machines Tammany Hall – New York Democratic Party William “Boss” Tweed Controlled: City's finances, police, fire dept, utilities, railroads etc. Controlled City Contracts 1860 – 1874 (Arrested)

Questions??????