Chapter 7 Notes

Chapter 7Chapter 7

The Transformation of American Society

The Transformation of American Society

Section One: The New Immigrants

Section One: The New Immigrants

» Old immigrants were mostly protestant and from North-West Europe

» Most new immigrants were from Southern or Eastern Europe

» Traveled in poor conditions (steerage)

» They arrived at either Ellis Island (East Coast) or Angel Island (West Coast)

» They were inspected by officials and then given a physical exam

» Benevolent Societies- aid organizations that helped immigrants in cases of sickness, unemployment, or death

Section One ContinuedSection One Continued» Nativists- Many native born Americans

saw immigrants as the source of problems

» Denis Kearny- Irish immigrant, leader of workingman’s party who incited people to be violent towards the Chinese

» Chinese Exclusion Act- passed by congress in 1882, denied citizenship and prohibited immigration of Chinese laborers.

» Immigration Restriction League- tried to impose literacy tests on immigrants

Section 2: The Urban WorldSection 2: The Urban World» Skyscrapers- large, multistory

building, steel frames made them possible.

» Elisha Otis- Developed mechanized elevator.

» Mass tranist- forms of public transport such as electric trains, subways, etc.

» Suburbs- residential neighborhoods on edges of city

Section 2 continuedSection 2 continued» Upper Class Life» Nouveau Riche- a new class of

wealthy people like Carnagie and Rockefeller

» Conspicuous Consumption- spending wealth freely to show it off

Section 2 continuedSection 2 continued» How the poor lived

» Tenements- poorly built apartments. Sickness and death were common.

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» Settlement Houses- community service centers in poor neighborhoods, like Jane Adams Hull House in Chicago.

» Social Gospel- applying Christian principles to address social problems.

» The end :]