1. Immigration, & Urbanization
The Transformation of the United States,

3. 20 Million European Immigrants Arrive In U.S. Between 1870-1920
Before 1890, immigrants came from Ireland & Germany.
Beginning in the 1890’s, increasing numbers come from southern & eastern Europe
Reasons:
religious persecution
scarcity of farmland
Unemployment
escape from revolution

4. Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans, West Indians Come to US via West Coast
Chinese first arrive after discovery of gold and stay to work on railroads.
Hawaiian planters recruit Japanese workers
700,000 Mexicans emigrate from Mexico to find work & escape political upheaval

5. The Journey
Most immigrants travelled in steerage---in the ship’s cargo holds
Crossing from Europe to America approximately one week
Crossing the Pacific took nearly 3 weeks

6. Ellis Island Europeans went to Ellis Island
Between , processes 17 million people

7. Processing on Ellis Island
Ordeal that might take 5+ hours
Needed to pass physical exam
Anyone with serious health problem, like TB, sent home
After passing exam, documents checked and immigrant questioned
Criminal record?
Able to work?
Had at least $25? (Requirement after 1909)

8. Immigrant Processing At Ellis Island

9. Slovenian Immigrants

10. Family of Immigrants on Ellis Island

11. Immigrants Leaving Ellis Island

12. Angel Island Asians, went to Angel Island on San Francisco Bay
Between , 50,000 Chinese immigrants entered US
Angel Island harsher experience than Ellis

13. Angel Island Processing

15. The Immigrant’s Challenges
Immigrant needs to
Find place to live
Get a job
Get along in daily life
Learn unfamiliar language
Chain Migration
Ethnic Communities: Many sought out others who shared cultural & religious values; spoke their native language.

16. Nativism Are we a “melting pot” or a “tossed salad”?
Nativism: What is it
American Protective Society founded in 1887
Immigration Restriction League
Extra-special prejudice against Asians:
Chinese Exclusion Act (1882):
Gentlemen’s Agreement (1907-8) between US & Japan

18. Most Immigrants Move to Cities
Why?
cheap & convenient places to live
offered steady jobs in mills & factories
By 1910, immigrants make up more than half the total population of 18 major cities
Americanization Movement

19. Urbanization
Technology, industrialization & immigration contribute to the urbanization of America in the 19th & early 20th centuries
What is urbanization?

20. Migration from Country to City
Rapid improvements in farm technology (McCormick reaper & steel plow) meant fewer farm workers needed.
Jim Crow laws southern African-Americans left the South between

21. Urban Problems: Housing
Tenements: Row houses packed many single family row houses were occupied by two or three immigrant families. They were overcrowded & lacked basic sanitation

22. Urban Problems: Transportation
Innovations in mass transit
Cities struggled to repair old transportation systems and build new ones to keep up with rising population

23. Urban Problems: Clean Water
Cities built large public waterworks to keep up with demand
Need to prevent water-borne illnesses prevent diseases (cholera & typhoid)
Many urban dwellers did not have access to safe water in early 20th century

24. Other Issues: Sanitation, Crime & Fire
Hygiene ongoing issue
Crime: Too few police
Fire constant threat to cities
Limited water supply.
Major city fires occurred in 1870’s & 1880’s.
Fire departments formed
Replacement of wood with brick, stone, or concrete made cities safer