Gilded Age: Immigration/ Urbanization. Immigration LIFE IN THE NEW LAND. Chapter 7-1, 2

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1 Gilded Age: Immigration/ Urbanization Chapter 7-1, 2 Immigration : immigrants came to U.S. from Europe 75% moved to Northeast Old Immigrants v. New Immigrants (Western European countries such as Britain, Germany, Ireland) 40% were New Immigrants : Left to escape famine, religious persecution, economic opportunities, etc. LIFE IN THE NEW LAND In the late 19 th century most immigrants arrived via boats The trip from Europe took about a week, while it took about 3 weeks from Asia The trip was arduous and many died along the way Destination was Ellis Island for Europeans, and Angel Island for Asians 1

2 ELLIS ISLAND, NEW YORK Ellis Island was the arrival point for immigrants They had to pass inspection Sick were sent home Immigrants also had to show that they were not criminals, had some money ($25), and were able to work From , 17 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island s facilities ANGEL ISLAND, SAN FRANCISCO, primarily Chinese, arriving on the West Coast gained admission at Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay Processing was much harsher than Ellis Island Asians and Latin Americans Many worked on railroads Performed hardest and dirtiest work , Chinese immigrants in U.S. 9% of California s population Over 500,000 Chinese & Japanese immigrants on W. Coast by 1920 Asians: usually stayed Latin Americans: moved to Over 700,000 by

3 Nativism New Immigrant, Asian and Latin American immigrants faced Seen as more un-american Many Americans felt they could not be into American culture Many cultural and religious differences Would work for lower wages Usually performed the worst jobs were usually anti-immigration preyed upon them (1882) Gov t laws restricting immigration Nativism intensified with job competition Forbade the immigration of Chinese for of years Renewed it in : U.S. restricted Chinese immigration Not until 1943 Gentleman s Agreement: 1908 " A Japanese note agreeing to deny passports to laborers entering the U.S. " Japan recognized the U.S. right to exclude Japanese immigrants holding passports issued by other countries. " The U.S. government got the school board of San Francisco to rescind their order to segregate Asians in separate schools. 3

4 Characteristics of Cities During the Gilded Age Rapidly expanding outward and upward Improved transportation networks Economic and Cultural center Distinct social classes New opportunities for women Poor living conditions for many Political machine-run governments Ethnic neighborhoods Segregation Urban Expansion Industrial revolution changed how and where people worked U.S. population in 1900 = Urban population Agricultural innovations forced thousands of farmers into the cities Glitter of cities attracted thousands Factories move to the cities Urbanization: Cities grow upward and outward! Improved transportation allows cities to grow outward (mass transit) Electric Trains 4

5 Improved technologies allow for skyscrapers Improvements in construction City Pattern Center: Poorest areas ( ) Was previously middle class Usually near Unsanitary Working class, middle class and rich made rings around center of cities Transportation innovations (streetcars, trolleys, subways) allowed wealthier to move out of city Neighborhoods usually Dumbell Tenement 5

6 Row House Problems in the cities from factories Cities could not keep up with population growth Lacked services like garbage pick-up, had inadequate sewage, etc. Many lacked or it was unclean were a problem Lack of Tenements were usually unsafe Fire, natural disaster, etc. could cause millions in damage and death to many Slums: Urban Reform Movement Inspired by: Corruption in Corruption in 6

7 Social Gospel Movement Church membership increased dramatically in late 1800s Social betterment tied to salvation Believed people had the duty to help improve the lives of the Charles Sheldon (1897)- Wanted to ban Felt it was unsafe Children should be in Also a force behind the growing Prohibition movement Prohibition: Settlement house movement (1889) Use religious ideas to deal with poverty, social ills Primary focus: Provide daycare, education and healthcare to poor : How the Other Half Lived (1890) 7

8 Working Class Number of unskilled workers growing and threatening skilled workers Gap between rich and poor Top 10% had 73% of wealth in 1890 Number of unskilled workers, making less money, is increasing Women and children in work force Working class children worked % of Philadelphia s children quit school by 14 in 1900 % of women in work force Wages in 1900 for factory worker Skilled woman: $ a week Unskilled male: $ a week 8