Immigration and Modern Urban
Growth
Chapter 20
Section 2
Industrialization Changes Cities
Key ? - How did industry and new
inventions change society?
 Not only changed how people worked, but
where they worked.
 Moved from rural areas to cities to find
work.
 Industries grew in cities with good
transportation and plentiful workers.
 Urbanization – growth of cities.

Skyscrapers
Helped to absorb millions of people.
 Increased amount of housing and
workspace.
 Electric Elevator – Otis Elevator Company
installed the first in 1889.
 Steel for construction – held immense
weight of the skyscraper’s floors.

The New Immigrants
Key ? – Who were the new immigrants and
where did they settle in the U.S.?
 Before 1890s immigrants came from
northern & western Europe.
 After 1889 – came from southern and
eastern Europe, southern Italy, Poland,
Russia (new immigrants)
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Reactions to Immigration
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Melting pot – a place where cultures blend.
Assimilation – studied English and Civics.
Faced prejudice from American born citizens.
Restrictions for immigration because of fear of
competing for jobs.
Took low paying dangerous jobs(sweatshops)
Chinese Exclusion Act – banned Chinese for 10
years.
Immigration and Racism
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Chinese immigrants who came to the West were
paid lower wages than whites.
Sometimes facing violence (Rock Springs,
Wyoming)whites refused to work in the same
mine with Chinese, killing 28.
African Americans & Mexicans were forced into
peonage-people forced to work until they have
paid off debts.
Congress outlawed in 1867. Supreme Court
struck down other forms as violating the 13th
amendment.
Problems of Urbanization
Key ? What problems were caused by
urbanization?
 Overcrowding in cities led to disease,
poverty, and danger of disaster.
 Tenements – run-down overcrowded
apartment houses. Poor design.
 No running water, no garbage pick-up,
sewage flowed in open gutters (slum)

Reformers Attack Urban
Problems
Settlement houses offered daycare,
education, and health care to needy in
slums.
 Jane Addams, an urban reformer and
suffrage leader – founded Hull House in
Chicago.
 Social gospel movement- led by Protestant
ministers – worked for labor reforms.
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Political Machines Run Cities
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Political machine – an illegal gang that influences
enough votes to control a local government.
Traded favors for votes.
Machine bosses gave jobs, cash, or food to
supporters.
Tammany Hall – NY – “Boss” William Tweed.
Stole money from the city.]
Despite corruption – many did good things –
parks,sewers, schools, roads and orphanages.
Assisted immigrants finding homes and jobs in
exchange for votes.