Chapter 15-1 Notes 15-1 Immigration

Europeans Flood into the U.S. By late 1800’s many European countries made it easy to emigrate to America 14 million immigrants arrived between 1860-1900 Most immigrates traveled by steerage, least expensive mode of transportation on steamship 14 day trip usually ended on Ellis Island

Continued Ellis Island served as processing center for most immigrates arriving after 1892 on the East Coast Most immigrants settled in cities, lived in neighborhoods where they duplicated many comforts of homeland Immigrants who learned English usually adapted well in the U.S.

Asian Immigration Unemployment, famine, the discovery of Gold in California all led many Chinese to emigrate to U.S. Many Chinese worked on the railroads Chinese immigrants were laborers, servants skilled tradesmen and merchants By 1900 many Japanese began to immigrate to the U.S.

Asian Immigration continued In 1910 barracks was opened on Angel island in California. Here, Asian immigrants mostly young men and boys, waited sometimes for months for the results of immigration hearings. Angel Island was the entry point on the west coast, while Ellis island was the entry point on the East Coast

Resurgence of Nativism Increases in Immigration led to nativism, an extreme dislike for foreigners by native-born people and the desire to limit immigration. Earlier, in the 1840’s and 1850’s, nativism was directed towards the Irish, In the early 1900’s,it was the Asian, Jews, and eastern Europeans that were the focus of nativism

Nativism Led to the forming of two anti-immigration groups American protective Association 500,00 members by 1887, wanted to stop immigration, disliked Catholics and foreigners Workingman’s Party of California – wanted to stop Chinese immigration, Racial violence resulted.

Nativism continued 1882 Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act that barred Chinese immigration for 10 years and prevented the Chinese already in America from becoming citizens. This act was renewed by congress in 1892, made permanent in 1902, and not repealed until 1943

15-2 Americans Migrate to the cities The urban population of the United States grew from about 10 million in 1870 to over 30 million by 1900 Immigrants remained in the cities, where they worked long hours for little pay. Still most immigrants, most immigrants felt their standard of living had improved in the united States. Farmers began moving to cities because of better paying jobs, electricity, running, water, plumbing, and entertainment

New Urban Environment Housing and Transportation needs changed due to the increase in the amount of people living in cities As the price of land increased, buildings owners began to build up. Skyscrapers, tall steel frame buildings were constructed because of this In late 1800’s various kinds of mass transit developed to move large numbers of people around cities quickly.

Separation by class Definite boundaries could be seen between where the wealthy, middle class, and working class people lived. Wealthy families lived in the heart of the city where they constructed elaborate homes. The middle class, which included doctors, lawyers, engineers, and teachers, tended to live away from the city The majority of urban dwellers were part of the working class who lived in city tenements, or dark and crowded multi-family apartments.

Urban Problems The growth of cities resulted in an increase in crime, fire , disease, and pollution. From 1880-1900, there was a large increase in the murder rate. Native-born Americans blamed immigrants for the increase in crime Alcohol contributed to crime in the late 1800’s Contaminated drinking water from improper sewage disposal resulted in epidemics of typhoid fever and cholera.

Urban Politics A new political system was needed to cope with the new urban problems. The political machine, and informal political group designed to gain and keep, provided essentials to city dwellers in exchange for votes. Party bosses ran the political machines. George Plunket, an Irish immigrant, was one of new York city’s most powerful party bosses

Urban Politics continued The party bosses had tight control of the city’s money. Many of the politicians became wealthy due to fraud or graft- getting money through dishonest or questionable means. The most famous new York Democratic political machine was Tammany Hall. During the 1860’s and 1870’s, Tammany Hall’s boss was William M. Tweed. He was Arrested for corruption and sent to prison in 1874