1. Immigration and Urbanization
Chapter 3, Section 3

2. Overview
In the three decades following the civil war, the population of urban areas tripled. Millions of immigrants came to America in search of better paying jobs created by the industrial revolution. The increase of immigrants led to feelings of “Nativism” and ban immigration. People lived in cramped housing, crime was common, and disease spread quickly.

3. Immigration to the U.S.
After Civil War, over 14 Million people migrated to US
243,000 from Asia & 11,000,000 Europe
US had jobs and few immigration restrictions

4. Immigration to the U.S. Northern Europe = “Old Immigrants” 1820 – 1860
Skilled workers & had some money
Southern Europe = “New Immigrants”
1880 – 1924
Unskilled workers / Little experience & no money

5. Ships to America Most Traveled in “Steerage” - basic accommodation
Crowded, Bunks and washrooms smelled
Poor sanitation “Imagine the bathrooms after people have been on a ship for 14 days!”

6. Ellis Island 14 day passage landed at Ellis Island in New York
Processing Center for Immigrants on East Coast
Most took a day to pass through customs

7. Ellis Island Cont… People were scrutinized & given: Medical Checks
Mental Checks
Many did not pass, Sent back on ships
Often separated from families
Often detained for months!!

17. Opened: January 1, 1892 and was closed in 1954, over twelve million immigrants processed

18. Ellis Island

19. Asian Immigration to U.S.
Chinas 30 Million – major unemployment, famine & poverty.
Taiping Rebellion happened in 1850
Discovery of gold in Ca. led many migrating to U.S.
Processed through Angel Island
Mostly young men

20. Resurgence of “Nativism”
So much immigration led to the feeling of “Nativism” Preference for “Native” born people and the desire to limit immigration
1882 – Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act - barred Chinese for 10 years from the U.S.
Population dropped drastically, finally repealed in 1943

21. Adjustment to American Life
How well immigrants did depend on how well they learned English & American Culture
1 in 3 returned to Europe

22. Urbanization Cities had 2,500 people grew to 10 million or more
NY went from 800,000 to 3.5 million
Moved to cities for higher paying jobs
Chance for Social mobility
Cities – 1900 over 1700 Cities

23. Class Separation Poor lived in bad areas, high crime, poor sanitation
Poor lived in “Tenement Houses” or “Dumbbell House”
(Well ventilated)
Most made $450 a yr.
Rich lived well, own homes

24. Housing & Mass Transit
Due to population – engineers developed “Upward” expansion.
Steel could bear building weight
Sky scrapers developed to house people (Flat Iron Building in NY)
Transportation – Horse cars and Cable cars
1873 – cable cars intro.

26. Jacob Riis Jacob Riis - “How the Other Half Lives”
Documented immigrant living / working conditions
Bring attention to immigrant suffering

27. Jacob Riis

28. Jacob Riis

29. Jacob Riis

52. Child Labor

53. Urban Problems Immigrants needed job, housing, food, and protection
Political Machines provided these needs in exchange for votes

54. Political Machines Tammany Hall – New York Democratic Party
William “Boss” Tweed
Controlled: City's finances, police, fire dept, utilities, railroads etc.
Controlled City Contracts
1860 – 1874 (Arrested)

55. Questions??????