1. Immigration and Urbanization
The influence of immigration and rapid urbanization on America

2. Immigration on the Rise
From million immigrants arrived in the U.S.
Immigration on the Rise
Pull Factors
Push Factors
American political and economic freedoms
Opportunity to own land
Advertisements by RR companies and other industries for workers
Wars
Famine
Religious persecution
Overpopulation

3. Often cost a life’s savings
Often sent only one or two family members to US – hope to bring all later
Most immigrants traveled in “steerage”
Above deck (exposed to rain, wind, overwash)
Lowest deck of ship (no fresh air, no toilets, disease)

4. The “New Immigrants” Originated from Southern and Eastern Europe
Many were Catholic or Jewish
Most spoke no English
Nativism: Prejudice and discrimination towards immigrants

5. 1890 – Congress created an immigration station at ELLIS ISLAND for the East Coast
By 1900 – 6 million immigrants had passed through ELLIS ISLAND
Dominant immigration station on West Coast – ANGEL ISLAND

6. Processing Immigrants
a humiliating and dehumanizing inspection process
Immigration officials had the power to send immigrants back
Inspectors quickly recorded information – including names which were often changed or “Americanized”

7. Chinese Immigrants – Part of New Immigration
Chinese immigrants typically arrived in California (Angel Island)
320, – 1882 (Many ended up working for very low wages on the construction of first transcontinental railroad)
Chinese Exclusion Act passed in 1882 severely limited Chinese immigration to US
Lived primarily in Chinatowns – were encouraged to not “melt” into American culture

8. Allowed immigrants to maintain native culture
Photo from “Little Italy” in NY
Ethnic Communities in major cities – “Little Italy” in NY and “Chinatown” in San Francisco are the best examples
Allowed immigrants to maintain native culture
Resisted attempts to “Americanize”

9. Urbanization
Rapid growth of cities as a result of immigration and migration of farmers who were seeking jobs
Changing nature of cities reflective of industrialization of America
Skyscrapers, elevators allowed cities to grow upwards (rather than outwards)
Streetcars, subways, elevated railroads, electric trolleys (allowed for transportation in crowded cities)
Steel suspension bridges (allowed for growth of roads and railroads in cities)
Establishment of “public cities” (in which city government took responsibility for protection (police, fire) as well as sanitation and health)

10. “Five Cents a Spot”
Immigrants and the poor in cities typically lived in “tenements”
Overcrowded and unsanitary
High infant mortality rates
Accidental and premature deaths common

11. Social Reformers Address Needs of Immigrants and Cities
Social Gospel Movement – social justice for the poor and salvation through service to poor
Settlement House Movement- construction of community centers in cities (HULL HOUSE)
Administered by college-educated, middle class women
Provided education from kindergarten to adult education
Provided health care
Over 400 built in late 19th century