Early Immigration

“Push” Factors These forces push people out of their native land. Examples: Population growth; crop failure Push factors of immigration pushed millions of people out of Europe and elsewhere in the 1800’s.

“Pull” Factors Pull them toward a new place Examples: Freedom; economic opportunity; abundant land Pull factors drew many of them to the United States

Immigrant influence on American Society Huge numbers caused overcrowding in the cities Left rural areas to urban areas Landlords packed tenants into buildings Disease rampant Crime flourished Cities unprepared – lacked police and fire departments

Working Conditions Factory workers labored from 5 am for hours -six days a week Legal to pay children and women less

Social Reform Demanded better schools Horace Mann- called public education “The Great Equalizer” Woman and Blacks were starting to be allowed a higher education Demanded better care of mentally ill and those with disabilities Demanded improvement of prisons and juvenile facilities