The Challenges of Modern America Immigration and Urbanization

New Immigration Promise of a Better Life

The New Immigrants Millions of immigrants entered the U.S. in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries Millions of immigrants entered the U.S. in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries Why? escape difficult times (often sent money home) escape difficult times (often sent money home)

Europeans

Arriving in the New Land Late 19 th century most immigrants arrived by boat Late 19 th century most immigrants arrived by boat trip from Europe took about a month trip from Europe took about a month took about three weeks from Asia took about three weeks from Asia trip was arduous many died along the way trip was arduous many died along the way Destination was Destination was for Europeans Ellis Island for Europeans for Chinese and Japanese Angel Island for Chinese and Japanese

Getting to the United States was often very difficult. Many of the immigrants traveled in steerage (most basic / cheapest accommodations)

Ellis Island, New York million European immigrants passed through Ellis Island’s facilities 7 million European immigrants passed through Ellis Island’s facilities processing took hours processing took hours sick were sent home sick were sent homeImmigrants had to show that they were not criminals had to show that they were not criminals had to have some money ($25) had to have some money ($25) were able to work were able to work

Ellis Island

Angel Island, San Francisco Chinese / Japanese arriving on the West Coast gained admission at Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay Chinese / Japanese arriving on the West Coast gained admission at Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay

Angel Island, San Francisco 쀀

Immigrant Populations Urbanization Northeast and Midwest Immigrants settled in cities Why? available jobs affordable housing * ( 1910) Immigrants made up more than half the population of 18 major American cities

Ethnic Neighborhoods When immigrants arrived greeted with hostility by some native-born Americans greeted with hostility by some native-born Americans to preserve their culture / survive in the new land: to preserve their culture / survive in the new land: newcomers built ethnic neighborhoods (Little Italy's, Little Poland's, Germantown's, Chinatowns) newcomers built ethnic neighborhoods (Little Italy's, Little Poland's, Germantown's, Chinatowns) Some came to think of themselves as Some came to think of themselves as hyphenated Americans

Migration from Country to City Discrimination and segregation were often the unfortunate reality for African Americans who migrated north Rapid improvements in farm technology (tractors, reapers, steel plows) made farming more efficient and required less labor Many rural people left for cities to find work – including almost a quarter of a million African Americans

Urban Problems Problems in American cities in the late 19 th & early 20 th centuries included: Housing: Overcrowded tenements were un-healthy places to live Sanitation: Garbage often was not collected and polluted the air Famous photographer Jacob Riis captured the struggle of living in crowded tenements

Urban Problems Problems in American cities in the late 19 th & early 20 th centuries included: Transportation: Cities struggled to provide adequate transit systems Water: Without safe drinking water cholera and typhoid fever were common Crime: As populations increased thieves flourished Fire: Limited water, wooden structures, and the use of candles led to many major urban fires Chicago 1871 and San Francisco two major fires.

“ Dumbbell ” Tenement

“ Dumbell “ Tenement, NYC

Jacob Riis: How the Other Half Lived (1890)

Tenement living

Lodgers Huddled Together

Tenement Living

Struggling Immigrant Families

Politics in the Gilded Age City Bosses AND Political Machines

Political Machines The Gilded Age saw the rise of political machines -- well-organized groups that controlled a political party in a city Machines offered services to voters & businesses in exchange for political votes Were very influential with immigrants; Helped with jobs, housing, & naturalization

Political machines influenced immigrant voters by creating parks near slums, barbeques, giving away Christmas presents to children

Political Machines Machines were led by city bosses who used a network of ward bosses & precinct captains to: Control access to city jobs, business licenses, courts Arrange building projects & community services

Political Machines Machine politicians were often corrupt: Use fraud to win elections Graft—Using their political influence for personal gain Took kickbacks & bribes The most notorious machine boss was Boss Tweed of New York’s Tammany Hall who defrauded the city of millions of dollars

Boss Tweed “ Tweed Courthouse ” —NY County Courthouse was supposed to cost $250,000 but cost $13 million