UNIT 1 STUDY GUIDE
DEFINE THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND NAMES:
Melting pot : a mixture of people from different cultures and races
who blend together by abandoning their native languages and
cultures.
Gentleman’s Agreement: 1907-1908 agreement by the
government of Japan to limit Japanese emigration to the US
Urbanization: the growth of cities
Political machine: an organized group that controls a political
party in a city and offers services to voters ad businesses in
exchange for political and financial support.
Patronage: an officeholder’s power to appoint people, usually
those who have helped him get elected to positions in government
Pendleton Act : a law enacted in 1883, that established a
bipartisan civil service commission to make appointments to
government jobs by means of the merit sysem.
Civil service: the nonmilitary branches of government
administration.
Tammany Hall: The Democratic political machine that dominated
NYC in the late 19th century.
Tweed Ring: a group of corrupt New York politicians, led by
William Marcy “Boss” Tweed, who took as much as 2 million
dollars from the city between 1869-1871.
Kickbacks: the return of part of a payment, usually as a result of
intimidation or a secret agreement.
Graft: the illegal use of political influence for personal gain
Dumbbell tenement: a long narrow, five or six story building
shaped like a barbell.
Settlement house: a community center providing assistance to
residents, particularly immigrants, in a slum neighborhood.
Culture shock: the confusion and anxiety that result from living in
an unfamiliar culture.
Chinese Exclusion Act: a law enacted in 1882, that prohibited all
Chinese except students, teachers, merchants, tourists, and
government officials form entering the US.
Angel Island: Asians, primarily Chinese arriving on the west coast
gained admission at Angel Island in San Francisco Bay.
Ellis Island: Inspection center for immigrants entering the US on
the east coast. New York Harbor
Thomas Nast: a political cartoonist who ridiculed Boss Tweed.
Boss Tweed: one of the earliest and most powerful bosses.
Where did the new immigrants come from? Southern and Eastern
Europe- Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Russia
Where did the old immigrants come from? Western and Northern
Europe- Great Britain, Ireland, and Germany.
What difficulties did immigrants face in gaining admission to the
United States? Physical examinations, report to government
inspectors to see if they met the legal requirements to enter the US,
Pass literacy tests, prove they could work, and show they had at
least $25.
How did immigrants deal with the challenges they faced in
America? Lived in ethnic communities, pooled money to build
neighborhood churches and synagogues. They formed social clubs
to meet and share experiences, offer mutual support, and enjoy
each others company.
What housing problems did urban working class families face?
Overcrowding, live on outskirts of city and had to commute to
work. Poor transportation. Boardinghouses sharing kitchen and
dining room facilities. Unsanitary conditions.
How did conditions in cities affect people’s health? Problems
supplying fresh water, Sanitation, Fires, Crime.
Why did immigrants support political machines? They received
sympathetic support for political machines, helped immigrants
become naturalized, find a place to live , and get a job. In return
the immigrants provided the political bosses with votes.
How did the spoils system contribute to government incompetence
and fraud? Government employees were not qualified for the
positions they filled. Interfered with the daily functioning of
government.
What were the positive and negative effects of the Pendleton Act?
Positive- increasing numbers of federal jobs were held by qualified
people, and public administration became more honest and
efficient.
Negative- because officials could no longer could pressure
government employees for campaign contributions, politicians had
to find other employees for campaign contributions. The obvious
source was wealthy business owners, the alliance between
government and big business became stronger than ever.
****Compare the current system of politics with the political
machines described in this unit. Which system is more effective?
Explain your opinion.