I. Waves of Immigrants to the United States

A. New Americans More than 4 million people immigrated to the United States between 1840 and 1860 About 3 million were German or Irish

B. Irish Immigrants Left Ireland because of potato famine Most were very poor Most were Catholic

Most settled near cities Women typically worked as domestic servants Men usually worked as unskilled labor

C. German Immigrants Emigrated from Germany for political reasons Many had nothing upon arrival Included Catholics, Jews and Protestants Most settled in rural Midwestern states in order to farm

II. The Nativist Response

A. Native-born Americans Feared losing jobs to immigrants who worked for lower wages Were typically Protestants who distrusted Catholics Nativists—Americans who opposed immigration

B. Know-Nothing Party A secret society formed in 1849 Wanted to keep immigrants and Catholics from holding political office Wanted a 21 year residency requirement for citizenship

III. The Growth of Cities in the United States

A. Growth Many new jobs created by the industrial revolution Rural Americans drawn to cities in search of employment Transportation Revolution facilitated access to cities

B. Life in the City Cities offered entertainment and cultural activities Cities were noisy and overcrowded

IV. Urban Problems

A. Rapid Growth led to Overcrowded Cities

B. Living Conditions Some people lived in dirty overcrowded buildings called tenements The overcrowding and filth led to disease Cities became centers of crime