1. Immigrants & Urban Life
Chapter 5

2. A New Wave of Immigration
Timeline:
Key Terms: old immigrants, new immigrants, steerage, benevolent societies, tenements, sweatshops, Chinese Exclusion Act
Main Ideas: U.S. immigration patterns changed during the late 1800s as new immigrants arrived from Europe, Asia, and Mexico. Immigrants worked hard to adjust to life in the United States. Some Americans opposed immigration and worked to restrict it.

3. Changing Patterns of Immigration
Millions of immigrants entered the U.S. – from Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Scandinavia
Most were Protestant – except some Roman Catholics
Many were skilled workers seeking employment in factories of urban areas
Old immigrants- referred to northern Europeans
New immigrants- referred to southern and eastern Europeans-about 5 million entered in 1880s
Czechoslovakians, Greeks, Hungarians, Italians, Polish, Russians, and Slovaks entered the U.S. with many different cultural and religious backgrounds
Some were escaping religious persecution and were eager for job opportunities

4. Arrival in a New Land
Difficult journey across ocean in steerage (below deck where steering mechanisms were located) due to being inexpensive-hot, cramped, and stinky due to sea sickness
Many died of disease before arriving in the U.S.
Processed through immigration centers run by the U.S.
Ellis Island-East Coast/European immigrants, New York harbor, less than 2% rejected
Angel Island-West Coast/Asian immigrants, San Francisco harbor, more discrimination
El Paso, Texas welcomed Mexican immigrants
Immigrants were interviewed and examined to determine if they could enter the U.S.

5. Annie Moore FIRST immigrant processed at Ellis Island in 1892
14 years old (her age has been debated as maybe being 17)
From Ireland – spent 12 days at sea on boat with 148 other immigrants
Given a $10 gold coin to recognize her as the first immigrant
Married a salesman in New York and had 11 kids
She died of heart failure at age 50 in 1924-buried in Queens, New York
Story told in a song, “Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears” by Brendan Graham

6. Adjusting to a New Life
Immigrants needed a home and a job while learning new language and customs
Ethnic neighborhoods were created so that immigrants with similarities could live
Same native language, food, customs
Published their own newspapers in their own language
Founded schools, clubs, and churches
Opened shops and banks
Offered new arrivals credit and small loans
Italian immigrant, Amadeo Peter Giannini started Bank of Italy in San Francisco which is now Bank of America

7. New Life Adjustments
Ethnic neighborhoods formed benevolent societies-help those with sickness, unemployment or death
Lived in tenements-poorly built overcrowded apartment buildings
Children typically adjusted to American customs and language faster than adults
Many immigrants came from rural farms but needed manufacturing skills-no choice but low pay unskilled jobs with long hours
Sweatshops in the neighborhood provided some employment for small jobs
Skilled bakers, carpenters, masons, machinists found jobs easily

8. Opposition to Immigration
Many Americans feared immigrants would take their jobs since they were willing to do the job for less money
Racial and ethnic prejudices increased opposition also
Some groups advocated laws to stop immigration – Chinese Exclusion Act banned Chinese people from immigrating to the U.S. for 10 years- FIRST time no allowing one group to enter
Criminals, sick people and disabled people were also limited
Immigrants continued to enter and work hard to improve the future of their families
Today, about 15M Asians call America home

9. The Growth of Cities
Key Terms: mass transit, suburbs, mass culture, Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst, department stores, Frederick Law Olmsted
Main Ideas: Both immigrants and native-born Americans moved to growing urban areas in record numbers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. New technology and ideas helped cities change and adapt to rapid population growth.

10. Growth of Urban Areas Urban = city 40% Americans lived in urban areas
New York was the largest city in 1850 but Chicago, Philadelphia, St Louis, Boston and Baltimore caught up quickly
Immigrants increased population but rural Americans moved to the city too – new farm equipment replaced the need for workers on the farm
Many hoped to escape discrimination and find better educational and economic opportunities- many African Americans travelled north to Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and New York
Chicago grew the most and fastest due to the location near railroads, natural resources, and plenty of factories

11. Changing Cities
Skyscrapers were built with Carnegie’s steel to accommodate so many people
Elevator patented by Elisha Otis helped skyscraper become practical
Mass transit – public transportation that moves many people quickly also benefited the cities
Some transportation was underground – FIRST subway 1897 was built in Boston
Cable cars and trolleys were cheaper but slower transportation that was available
Suburbs- residential neighborhoods outside of city areas became more affordable and accessible to the city

12. New Ideas
Mass culture – leisure and cultural activities shared by many people became popular due to increased publishing – typewriter was invented which made communication more efficient
Newspaper became very popular
Joseph Pulitzer added the comics which increased sells
William Randolph Hearst published New York Journal
Department stores like Belk opened in cities – Marshalls put ads in newspapers and decorated large windows of the store to attract customers to low priced products
Worlds Fair brought new ideas and products – Example: ice cream cone discovery from a Syrian food vendor at the fair
Amusement parks like New York’s Coney Island provided family fun and entertainment
FIRST roller coaster – Switchback Railway at Coney Island cost a nickel

13. Central Park in New York City
Frederick Law Olmsted-landscape architect designed Central Park and became famous
Purpose of Central Park- a place where busy people in NY can relax, exercise, and enjoy nature
View p. 146
Pond is near busy streets to attract people
Many trails to walk, ride, or roll
Horseback riding, ice skating, boating, and baseball are some activities
Children’s District is special for families with young kids
Many famous monuments inside EX: Alice in Wonderland, Beethoven, Cherry Hill Fountain (Friends), Shakespeare, Strawberry Fields (John Lennon), Vanderbilt, etc…

14. City Life
Key Terms: Jacob Riis, settlement house, Jane Addams, Hull House, Florence Kelley
Main Ideas: Crowded urban areas faced a variety of social problems. People worked to improve the quality of life in the US cities. Rapid growth of cities created both challenges and opportunities.

15. Urban Problems
Jacob Riis, a photographer and journalist exposed horrible conditions in NY
Overcrowding caused sanitation problems and spread germs easily – no trash service
Poor building codes created dangerous tall buildings-few windows for fresh air
Running water and plumbing was scarce
Diseases like cholera, typhoid, influenza, and tuberculosis spread
Air pollution due to factories
Carnegie’s steel mills in Pittsburgh provided wealth but also air pollution (Green City Award)
Police and firefighters hired per neighborhood

16. Improving City Life
What would you do if you discovered the class next door did not get food or drink all day and was refused air conditioning and heat?
Immigrants lived in dangerous places- Jacob Riis and Lawrence Veiller worked hard to change these living conditions
Charity Organization Society exposed the lifestyle through photographs and written stories
Once everyone learned of the situation, the NY State Tenement House Act was passed stating new buildings must have air ventilation and running water
Settlement houses were neighborhood centers that offered education, recreation, and social activities to immigrants were created
FIRST was in NY- Neighborhood Guild
Most famous was in Chicago – Hull House opened by Jane Addams

17. Hull House
Staffed by professionals and volunteers to assists immigrants
Served 2000 people a week
Provided English classes, day care, cooking and sewing classes
Children were offered clubs, art, and sports
Jane Addams & Florence Kelley worked for reform
Laws passed to limit working hours and prevent child labor
Many cities opened settlement houses
Pennsylvania currently still has Germantown Settlement today

18. Jane Addams Born in Illinois
College educated but could not find job open for women
Visited England and saw London Settlement
Returned and opened Hull House in Chicago
Taught immigrants kindergarten
Involved in immigrant’s rights
Shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 for her work with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

19. TEST TIME! Know key terms Analyze main ideas
Study correct answers on chapter review p
Make an A! You can do it!
I BELIEVE IN YOU 