2.  By 1900, 40% of Americans lived in cities  11 million immigrants between 1870-1900  The city served as a symbol of opportunity  However, cities were strained in all areas  Cities served as a battleground for benefits and control

3.  Pull factors  Young women lead the exodus from the cities ◦ Mechanization and mail-order magazines  Germans (3 m.), English, Scottish, Welsh (2 m.), Irish (1.5 m.)  Along with the Scandinavians these were the Old Immigrants  Chinese population on the west coast despite the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

4.  Primary settlement was the city ◦ Irish – Boston; later the Italians to NYC ◦ 1890 NY – 4/5 foreign born or children of foreign born  Germans to the Midwest  Large number of immigrants were single young men  Ellis Island became the central processing center for immigrants from 1892-1954  The west coast had Angel Island in San Fran. (1910-1940)

5.  Ethnic enclaves  Chain migration – relocation near friends or relatives from one’s original town ◦ Pros and Cons of this settlement  Birds of passage; especially the Chinese and Italians ◦ But this was mostly the New Immigrants

7.  Massive wealth established by the growing industrialists and upper middle class  This created informal residential segregation by income and also “race”

8.  To justify wealth, many appealed to Victorian morality ◦ Financial success was linked to superior talent, intelligence, morality, and self- control ◦ Thus a network of institutions, from elegant department stores and hotels to elite colleges and universities, reinforced the privileged position of these groups

9.  Assumptions of Victorian world view ◦ 1. human nature is malleable; people can improve themselves ◦ 2. the social value of work; self discipline and self control also helped the progress of the nation ◦ 3. good manners and the value of literature and the fine arts ◦ Began with the struggle with slavery and alcohol ◦ Dinner-table manners were key a families level of refinement

10.  Cult of Domesticity ◦ The ideal place for a woman was in the home ◦ But also to foster the artistic environment that would nurture the family’s cultural improvement

11.  In 1900 only 4% of nation’s 18-21 yr. olds were in college/univ.  Wealthy capitalists begin leaving endowments  150 new colleges/univ. between 1880-1900  Morrill Land Grant Act (1862)  Birth of the research university

12.  Typified by Tammany Hall in NYC  It started with ward bosses who served as welfare agents; in return was millions in public utility contracts  William Marcy Tweed was the most well known in NY

13.  Initially many thought the problem with the urban poor was their lack of self control and self discipline  This also led to an effort to Americanize them  Charles Brace founded the NY Children’s Aid Society in 1853  YMCA was brought to American in 1851 ◦ By 1900 more than fifteen hundred serving over 250,000

14.  Salvation Army ◦ Formed in 1865 London by William Booth (Methodist); America in 1880 ◦ Pseudo-military organization that grabbed the attention of the poor first  NY Charity Organization Society ◦ Thought too much overlapping charity undermined the poor’s desire to work ◦ Sent in “friendly visitors” to the tenements to counsel families ◦ Tried to convert the poor middle-class standards of morality and decorum

15.  1872 – Anthony Comstock forms the NY Society for the Suppression of Vice

16.  Launched by Washington Gladden  Religion should fight social injustice wherever it exists, even mediate between business and labor (in response to violent strikes)  Best articulated by Walter Rauschenbusch ◦ True Christian society would unite all churches, reorganize the industrial system, and work for international peace

17.  New approach: relief workers would need to settle with the poor in their neighborhoods  Jane Addams was the leader  She opened Hull House in Chicago  They invited the impoverished to plays; sponsored art projects; held classes in English, civics, cooking; and encouraged immigrants to preserve their traditions  Created studies of conditioned and lobbied officials

18.  Many of the women went on to become successful politicians and those active in the Progressive Movement  Unsuccessful nature ◦ Many immigrants felt the efforts didn’t do enough for political power

19.  With the new entrepreneurial wealth and a growing working class, America begins to questions and ponder leisure time  Working class America seeks diversion and relaxation; the wealthiest obviously have the time and money  The more impersonal work became, the more sought after and valued leisure time became

20.  As unions fought for the eight-hour workday, the slogan became “Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, and eight hours for what we will”  Street activity, gymnastics clubs, singing societies, saloons (they reinforced group identity and were the center of immigrant politics)  Sports memorabilia begins to adorn the walls  Sporting clubs sprang up, especially bare knuckled boxing