Chapter 21: Changes in American Life Section 3: Segregation and Discrimination Section 4: Society and Mass Culture

At the turn of the Century (1900), there was still a lot of racism and discrimination across the whole country. Against African Americans, Asians, Native Americans, Mexicans, and many of the European immigrant groups. Against African Americans, Asians, Native Americans, Mexicans, and many of the European immigrant groups. Even the scientists said that whites were superior to every other race. Even the scientists said that whites were superior to every other race. The South had some of the worst of these problems The South had some of the worst of these problems

Finding ways to put restrictions on voting was one of many forms of discrimination. Laws were passed that set up reading tests as voter qualifications – sometimes they were even written in Latin. Laws were passed that set up reading tests as voter qualifications – sometimes they were even written in Latin. Voters were sometimes charged poll taxes. Voters were sometimes charged poll taxes. One law said you couldn’t vote if your ancestors before 1867 couldn’t vote. One law said you couldn’t vote if your ancestors before 1867 couldn’t vote.

There were also “Jim Crow” laws (12) These were laws which involved separating whites and blacks in public places (schools, trolleys, public restrooms, drinking fountains, restaurants, etc…) These were laws which involved separating whites and blacks in public places (schools, trolleys, public restrooms, drinking fountains, restaurants, etc…) Click here to see some Jim Crow Laws

There was even an important court case which backed these ideas (Plessy vs. Furgeson) The supreme court said it was okay that this segregation was legal (that separate, but equal was okay). The supreme court said it was okay that this segregation was legal (that separate, but equal was okay). Of course, equal ends up being the key word. Of course, equal ends up being the key word.

African Americans continued to make advances Booker T. Washington (16) (an ex-slave) started the Tuskegee Institute to “help African Americans learn trades and gain economic strength.” But to gain support for his institute, Washington didn’t really challenge ideas of segregation. Booker T. Washington (16) (an ex-slave) started the Tuskegee Institute to “help African Americans learn trades and gain economic strength.” But to gain support for his institute, Washington didn’t really challenge ideas of segregation.

Washington was the dominant figure in the African American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915, especially after he achieved prominence for his Atlanta Address of Washington was the dominant figure in the African American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915, especially after he achieved prominence for his Atlanta Address of To many politicians and the public in general, he was seen as a popular spokesperson for African American citizens. Representing the last generation of black leaders born into slavery, he was generally perceived as a credible proponent of educational improvements for those freedmen who had remained in the post- Reconstruction, Jim Crow South. To many politicians and the public in general, he was seen as a popular spokesperson for African American citizens. Representing the last generation of black leaders born into slavery, he was generally perceived as a credible proponent of educational improvements for those freedmen who had remained in the post- Reconstruction, Jim Crow South. Throughout the final 20 years of his life, he maintained this standing through a nationwide network of core supporters in many communities, including black educators, ministers, editors and businessmen, especially those who were liberal-thinking on social and educational issues. Throughout the final 20 years of his life, he maintained this standing through a nationwide network of core supporters in many communities, including black educators, ministers, editors and businessmen, especially those who were liberal-thinking on social and educational issues. He gained access to top national leaders in politics, philanthropy and education, and was awarded honorary degrees. Critics called his network of supporters the "Tuskegee Machine." He gained access to top national leaders in politics, philanthropy and education, and was awarded honorary degrees. Critics called his network of supporters the "Tuskegee Machine."

In June 1941, the Tuskegee program officially began with formation of the 99th Fighter Squadron at the Tuskegee Institute, a highly regarded university founded by Booker T. Washington in Tuskegee, Alabama.

One person who did challenge segregation was W.F.B. DuBois (19) He encouraged African Americans to reject segregation. He encouraged African Americans to reject segregation. He, and other reformers founded the N.A.A.C.P. (20) He, and other reformers founded the N.A.A.C.P. (20) (the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) (the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)

And… the KKK was still around More than 2500 African Americans were lynched between 1885 and More than 2500 African Americans were lynched between 1885 and Ida B. Wells (21) is a southern women who tried to stop the lynchings. Ida B. Wells (21) is a southern women who tried to stop the lynchings. She feared for her safety and ended up moving to Chicago. She feared for her safety and ended up moving to Chicago. Many other Blacks moved North to escape the violence, but the North had some of the same issues. Many other Blacks moved North to escape the violence, but the North had some of the same issues. For example, in 1908, two blacks were lynched just a few blocks from Lincoln’s home. For example, in 1908, two blacks were lynched just a few blocks from Lincoln’s home.

Cartoon by Thomas Nast. As the Jim Crow system emerged, African Americans sought better opportunities in the West. Simultaneously, Chinese escaping from the Anti- Chinese violence in the West migrated to the East, establishing Chinatowns in Chicago and New York among others.

When all the immigrants came, people felt there was a great need to educate them. Public schools as we know them began about this time. Public schools as we know them began about this time. As more people became educated, they began to read more – so books and newspapers became more popular. As more people became educated, they began to read more – so books and newspapers became more popular. Two of these early newspaper “pioneers” were Joseph Pulitzer (29) and William Randolph Hearst (30) Two of these early newspaper “pioneers” were Joseph Pulitzer (29) and William Randolph Hearst (30)

When newspapers started growing in popularity, so did the idea of advertising in them. These helped people learn about new inventions and where people could get them. These helped people learn about new inventions and where people could get them. Department stores began to open – one man who opened one in Chicago was Marshall Field. Department stores began to open – one man who opened one in Chicago was Marshall Field.

People who didn’t live near a department store could order things through the mail Companies like Montgomery Ward, and Sears Roebuck sent out mail-order catalogues, where you could get just about anything. Companies like Montgomery Ward, and Sears Roebuck sent out mail-order catalogues, where you could get just about anything. And, the post office was now even going to deliver mail out to the country And, the post office was now even going to deliver mail out to the country

Since more people were now living in the cities… With all kinds of new inventions and technologies… With all kinds of new inventions and technologies… They didn’t have to work the long, hard hours farmers had to… They didn’t have to work the long, hard hours farmers had to… And labor unions were getting better working conditions (less hours) for workers… And labor unions were getting better working conditions (less hours) for workers… These city people had a lot more free time on their hands. These city people had a lot more free time on their hands.

10 largest U.S. cities in 1900 according to the census 1. New York (3,437,000) 2. Chicago (1,100,000) 3. Philadelphia 4. Boston 5. St. Louis 6. Baltimore 7. Cleveland 8. Buffalo 9. San Francisco (343,000) 10. Cincinnati

In 1900: more leisure time Sports were starting to grow (baseball was the only “professional” sport) Sports were starting to grow (baseball was the only “professional” sport) No radio or TV though (big stadiums were built) No radio or TV though (big stadiums were built)

Women’s clothes were still “conservative” Women’s clothes were still “conservative” Bicycles (one of most common forms of recreation for common people) Bicycles (one of most common forms of recreation for common people)

Commercial Entertainment started to become popular Vaudeville (40) Vaudeville (40) Soap Operas Soap Operas Burlesque Burlesque

Trolley Parks / Amusement Parks

Public Pools / Swimming

In about 10 years: Automobile (only for the rich)

Kinetoscope (early moving pictures)

Nickelodeons: 5 cent movies (1 st “movie theaters”)

Zoos Zoos