Mr. Judd
Name____________________
CH. 6 Urban America 1865-1895
Immigration
MAIN IDEA Immigration from Europe, Asia,
the Caribbean, and Mexico reached a new
high in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries.
Between 1870 and 1920, about 20 million
Europeans immigrated to the United States.
Many of them came from eastern and southern
Europe, which had not provided large numbers
of immigrants before. Some, like Jews, fled
religious persecution. Others escaped economic
hardship. Some were leaving Europe full of
ideas for reform and political freedom.
About 300,000 Chinese immigrants came
from 1851 to 1883. Thousands of immigrants
came from Japan as well. From 1880 to 1920,
about 260,000 immigrants came from the
Caribbean. Many Mexicans also came to the
United States. About a million immigrants came
from 1910 to 1930 to escape political turmoil in
Mexico.
Most immigrants traveled by steamship,
riding in steerage—the cargo holds below the
ship’s waterline. Conditions were cramped, with
little light or air, and unclean. Many people
suffered from disease. Those who arrived in
New York were processed at Ellis Island. The
process, which took about five hours,
determined whether they could enter the country
or had to return.
Asian immigrants arriving on the West coast
were processed at Angel Island near San
Francisco. Conditions were more unpleasant
than at Ellis Island, and the processing was
stricter.
Once in the United States, immigrants felt
confused and worried by the new culture. Many
settled in communities with other immigrants
from the same country to feel more at home.
They also formed organizations to help each
other.
While immigrants were arriving in great
numbers, anti-immigration feelings spread
among some Americans. During the depression
of the 1870s, many workers feared they would
lose their jobs to Chinese immigrants, who
accepted low wages. In 1882, Congress passed
the Chinese Exclusion Act, banning all but a few
Chinese immigrants. The ban was not lifted until
1943. The United States and Japan reached a
“Gentlemen’s Agreement” in 1907 and 1908
under which Japan restricted migration to the
United States.
The Challenges of Urbanization
MAIN IDEA The rapid growth of cities
forced people to contend with problems of
housing, transportation, water, and
sanitation.
Most of the new immigrants moved to the
nation’s cities to get work in the growing
industrial economy. It was also cheaper and
more convenient for them to live in cities. By
1910, immigrants made up more than half of the
populations of 18 different cities. Many settled
in neighborhoods with others from the same
country— even from the same province.
As city populations rose, overcrowding
sometimes resulted. Another movement helped
swell urban populations. As efficient machines
increased farm production, they also cost farm
jobs. As a result, many people moved from
farms to cities. About 200,000 of these new
urban dwellers were African Americans leaving
the South for Northern cities. They hoped to
escape racial violence but found prejudice and
low wages in their new homes as well.
The growing cities had many problems. There
were housing shortages, and many urban
property owners converted single family homes
into multifamily apartments. These solutions
often placed people in crowded conditions, full
of filth and disease. Growing populations
created transportation problems as well. As the
cities continued to grow, the transit systems
could not always keep up.
City officials also had difficulty obtaining
enough clean water. Cities began to clean and
filter the water and insist on indoor plumbing,
but these steps spread slowly. Removing waste
and garbage was another problem.
By 1900 most cities had full-time professional
fire departments. But the lack of water made
fires very dangerous—and reliance on wood as a
building material gave fires fuel to burn. Both
Chicago, in 1871, and San Francisco, in 1906,
suffered very devastating fires. Another problem
of the growing cities was crime.
Some social reformers pushed to improve life
in the cities. The Social Gospel movement held
that Christians had a duty to try to reform
conditions. Some reformers created settlement
houses. These community centers aimed at
helping the poor, especially immigrants. Run
mostly by women, they offered schooling,
nursing, and other assistance.
Politics in the Gilded Age
MAIN IDEA Local and national political
corruption in the 19th century led to calls for
reform.
The large populations of cities provided an
opportunity for a new political force—the
political machine controlled by a boss. A
machine was a group that controlled a political
party. By giving voters services they needed, the
machine won their votes and controlled city
government.
The city boss controlled the whole machine—
and the city government. Bosses controlled jobs
in the police, fire, and sanitation departments.
They controlled the city agencies that granted
licenses to businesses. They controlled the
money used to fund large construction projects.
Many bosses were first- or second-generation
immigrants, and they understood immigrants’
concerns. By helping to solve immigrants’
problems, they won loyalty.
Political machines could point to many
accomplishments. As they gained power,
though, some individuals became corrupt. Some
used illegal methods to win elections. Others
abused power to become wealthy. Since the
bosses controlled the police, they were seldom
pursued. The Tweed Ring of New York was one
of the most famous examples of corruption
among city officials. Boss Tweed and many
associates were finally convicted of various
crimes.
Corruption reached national politics. For
many decades, presidents had given jobs to loyal
party workers in what was called the spoils
system. As a result, some workers were not
qualified for their jobs. Others used their
positions to get money.
Reformers wanted to end these abuses. They
proposed a civil service system in which
government jobs would go only to those who
proved they were qualified.
President Rutherford B. Hayes took some
steps to reform the federal government. This
aroused the anger of some members of his own
party. These Stalwarts, as they were called,
opposed any changes. The next president, James
Garfield, favored the reform movement, and he
was shot and killed by an unbalanced Stalwart.
His successor, Chester Arthur, pushed through
the Pendleton Act of 1883. It created the Civil
Service Commission to give government jobs
based on merit, not politics. The act helped
reform the civil service. However, some
politicians now turned to wealthy business
leaders for campaign money. As a result, some
corruption continued.
Another issue was how high to make the
tariff, or tax on imported goods. Business
leaders and Republicans wanted high tariffs so
they could cut foreign competition. Democrats
favored low tariffs. Under Republican presidents
Benjamin Harrison and William McKinley, the
tariff was high. Under Democrat Grover
Cleveland, the tariff was lower for a short
period.
Review Questions (Pgs. 1-2)
Mr. Judd
Immigration
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries
she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
by Emma Lazarus, New York City, 1883
1. How many immigrants came to America between1870-1920?
2. Where did most of them come from?
3. Why did they come to America?
4. What was their passage to America like?
5. Where was the chief processing center on the east coast? West coast?
6. Where did many immigrants settle once they arrived in America? Why?
7. What law banned Chinese immigration in 1882?
8. What was the “Gentlemen’s Agreement?”
The Challenges of Urbanization
9. By 1910, immigrants made up what percentage of the population in many cities in America?
10. What other movement around this time also helped swell the population of urban areas?
11. What problems arose in the growing cities?
12. What was the “Social Gospel” movement?
13. What was a settlement house?
Politics in the Gilded Age
14. What was a political machine?
15. What were some ways in which the boss controlled the machine?
16. What was perhaps the most corrupt political machine in America?
17. What was the spoils system?
18. What did reformers propose to end the spoils system?
19. What happened to President Garfield when he supported the reform measure?
20. What was the Pendleton Act of 1883?
21. What is a tariff? Why did Republicans want to raise it?
THE LONG, LONG, JOURNEY VIDEO VIEWING GUIDE
Mr. Judd
1. What landmark did Janek and his family see as they arrived in the United States?
2. According to the video, what year did Janek and his family arrive in the United States of
America?
3. What was Janek’s father’s occupation (job)?
4. What immigration station did Janek’s father go to to pick up his family?
5. What invention was Janek happy to test out again and again when he arrived in the new
“skyscraper” apartment?
6. How much money did Janek’s father make per week at his job?
7. What English sound does Janek have a difficult time pronouncing during his classes?
8. Why does Janek get into a fight with the Irish boy at school?
9. Why does Babcia (Grandma) do to punish Janek when he refuses to speak Polish at home?
10. What injury did Janek’s father suffer at work?
11. When Janek goes to talk to his father’s boss about his future with the company, the boss says –
12. What occupation did the Jewish family which lived upstairs from Janek work in?
13. Kasha got married when –
14. Who did Babcia (Grandma) give all of the family’s money to?
15. What did Babcia (Grandma) give to Kasha (sister) when she left the family to get married?
16. Janek explains to his teacher that he must leave school to support his family. He returns her
book. Ms. Clarke says, “Now, you’ll never be better that your father!” How does Janek
respond?
17. How long was Janek’s shift at the meatpacking plant when he started working there?
18. Janek is happy that he came to the United States and because –
Immigration and Ellis Island
Directions:
Step 1: Go to the following Web site and create a free account (Click on the “yes I am new to
this site link”): https://www.ellisisland.org/sign/index.asp?ACT=LL&login_targ=none
Step 2: Click the “Passenger Search” tab at the top left of the page. Then, use a real ancestor’s
name, use your own last name, of pick any name off of the Ellis Island list, to discover
passenger information about someone who entered the United States through Ellis Island. You
may use any name off of the list that you want!
Step 3: Once you have selected a name, use the Web site to answer the worksheet. You may
need to view other areas of the Web site to complete this project. Go to the following link for
details about Ellis Island: http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_island.asp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Part I: Immigrant Record
Name of Immigrant
_____________________________________________________________________
(Last)
(First)
(Middle)
Ethnicity: ___________________________ Last Place of Residence:
Date of Arrival: _________________ Age at Arrival: _______
Gender: Male or Female
Ship of Travel: _________________________________ Port of Departure:
Part II: Immigrant Processing
1. When did Ellis Island officially open?
2. What type of inspection would a steerage / third class passenger receive upon arrival at Ellis
Island?
3. How long would the inspection process usually last?
4. What were the two main reasons an immigrant may be denied entry to America?
5. Between 1892 and 1954, how many people passed through Ellis Island?
6. Go to the “Photo Albums” tab and click on “Ellis Island Then…” Look through the photographs
and select your favorite to answer the questions below:
A. Describe the photograph
B. What might the people in the photograph be thinking?
C. Do the people look happy or sad? Explain why you think they feel that way:
D. List three challenges these new immigrants will face once they are admitted into the
United States:
7. What was the name of the first person to be registered at Ellis Island?
8. Under the “Timeline” section, view the “Peopling of America” Chart section 1880-1930. What
ethnic group was severely restricted in entering the United States in 1882?
9. Where is Ellis Island located?
10. What year did Ellis Island officially close?
The Populist Movement
Read Pgs. 242- 244 in your text and list AT LEAST FOUR problems Midwestern farmers experienced
between 1870 and 1900
1. _________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
In response to these problems, farmers formed the ___________ Party, a third party.
What is a third party? A party that addresses an issue or represents a group that the two major
parties (Democrats and Republicans) are ignoring.
____________________________________________________________________________
The Populist Party Platform
Problem
Solution
Description
“Bimetallism:” print paper
money backed by gold AND
silver.
A shortage of gold caused a shortage
of paper money, which made it hard
for farmers to get loans and pay back
their debts. Silver was more plentiful
and if more silver was coined, more
paper money would be available to
help farmers pay down their debts.
Gold Standard- 1 oz. gold = $1
Bimetallism- 16 oz. of silver = $1
The Interstate Commerce Act
A Tariff on European Farm
Goods
Have the government pass a law to
take over or heavily control/regulate
the railroad industry to prevent them
from charging exorbitant rates.
In order to reduce the supply of
crops, place an import tax (a tariff)
on European crops coming into
America. This would make them
more expensive and therefore
discourage Europeans from exporting
them.
16th Amendment (Graduated or
Progressive income tax)
17th Amendment (Direct
election of U.S. Senators)
A tax on individual’s income (rather
than just the property they own)
would help to shift the tax burden to
all the residents of cities who don’t
own lots of land. The more money
you make, the more you pay.
In order to prevent businesses from
bribing U.S. Senators, have the
people directly elect the Senators
(rather than have the state legislatures
pick them).
So………what happened to the Populists?
Prior to the presidential election of 1896, the Populist Party had so many followers that
Democrats (who historically have represented farmers) began to worry that they would lose the
election if the Populist Party nominated their own presidential candidate. So the Democrats
decided to run the candidate that the Populists wanted: William Jennings Bryan. Bryan gave a
very famous speech entitled “The Cross of Gold” speech at the Democratic Party’s nominating
convention at which he announced the most important issue facing farmers:
“If they dare to come out in the open field and defend the gold standard as a good thing, we
shall fight them to the uttermost, having behind us the producing masses of the nation and the
world. Having behind us the commercial interests and the laboring interests and all the toiling
masses, we shall answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them, you shall not
press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a
cross of gold.”
In the end, the Republican Party candidate William McKinley defeated the Populist backed
candidate William Jennings Bryan. If Bryan ran a campaign based on the message that
corporations had grown too powerful and government needed to address the concerns of the
common people, how did he lose? Common people make up the majority of the country?
********So why should I care about the stupid farmers and their Populist Party?*************
Reason #1: The Populist Party was an influential third party that made a big impact on
American politics. Even today, the word “populist” is still used to describe politicians who
advocate policies that benefit common people.
Reason #2: The loss of the Populist candidate (Bryan) symbolized the transition of America
from a rural, agrarian society to an urban, industrial society. Farming was not as
important anymore!
Reason #3: The Populists were the first party to call on the government to take action and
regulate the economy during an era when most people believed in Social Darwinism and
laissez-faire.
Reason #4: The Populists were the first group of people to raise a question that still is being
asked today: should government policies benefit big businesses or average people?