IMMIGRANTS AND URBANIZATION

IMMIGRANTS AND URBANIZATION

AMERICA BECOMES A MELTING POT IN THE LATE 19TH & EARLY 20TH CENTURY

SECTION 1:THE NEW IMMIGRANTS

Millions of immigrants entered the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

Some came to escape difficult conditions, others known as “birds of passage” intended to stay only temporarily to earn money, and then return to their homeland

EUROPEANS Between 1870 and 1920,

about 20 million Europeans arrived in the United States

Before 1890, most were from western and northern Europe

After 1890, most came from southern and eastern Europe

All were looking for opportunity

CHINESE Between 1851 and

1882, about 300,000 Chinese arrived on the West Coast

Some were attracted by the Gold Rush, others went to work for the railroads, farmed or worked as domestic servants

An anti-Chinese immigration act by Congress curtailed immigration after 1882

Many Chinese men worked for the railroads

JAPANESE In 1884, the Japanese

government allowed Hawaiian planters to recruit Japanese workers

The U.S. annexation of Hawaii in 1898 increased Japanese immigration to the west coast

By 1920, more than 200,000 Japanese lived on the west coast

THE WEST INDIES AND MEXICO

Between 1880 and 1920, about 260,000 immigrants arrived in the eastern and southeastern United States form the West Indies

They came from Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other islands

Mexicans, too, immigrated to the U.S. to find work and flee political turmoil – 700,000 Mexicans arrived in the early 20th century

LIFE IN THE NEW LAND In the late 19th century

most immigrants arrived via boats

The trip from Europe took about a month, 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

ELLIS ISLAND, NEW YORK Ellis Island was the arrival

point for European immigrants

They had to pass inspection at the immigration stations

Processing took hours, and the sick were sent home

Immigrants also had to show that they were not criminals, had some money ($25), and were able to work

From 1892-1924, 17 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island’s facilities

ELLIS ISLAND, NEW YORK HARBOR

ANGEL ISLAND, SAN FRANCISCO

Asians, primarily Chinese, arriving on the West Coast gained admission at Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay

Processing was much harsher than Ellis Island as immigrants withstood tough questioning and long detentions in filthy conditions

ANGEL ISLAND WAS CONSIDERED MORE HARSH THAN ELLIS ISLAND

FRICTION DEVELOPS

While some immigrants tried to assimilate into American culture, others kept to themselves and created ethnic communities

Committed to their own culture, but also trying hard to become Americans, many came to think of themselves as Italian-Americans, Polish-Americans, Chinese-Americans, etc

Some native born Americans disliked the immigrants unfamiliar customs and languages – friction soon developed Chinatowns are found in many

major cities

IMMIGRANT RESTRICTIONS As immigration increased,

so did anti-immigrant feelings among natives

Nativism (favoritism toward native-born Americans) led to anti-immigrant organizations and governmental restrictions against immigration

In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act which limited Chinese immigration until 1943

Anti-Asian feelings included restaurant boycotts

SECTION 2: THE CHALLENGES OF URBANIZATION

Rapid urbanization occurred in the late 19th century in the Northeast & Midwest

Most immigrants settled in cities because of the available jobs & affordable housing

By 1910, immigrants made up more than half the population of 18 major American cities

MIGRATION FROM COUNTRY TO CITY

Rapid improvements in farm technology (tractors, reapers, steel plows) made farming more efficient in the late 19th century

It also meant less labor was needed to do the job

Many rural people left for cities to find work- including almost ¼ million African AmericansDiscrimination and segregation were

often the reality for African Americans who migrated North

URBAN PROBLEMS Problems in American

cities in the late 19th and early 20th century included:

Housing: overcrowded tenements were unsanitary

Sanitation: garbage was often not collected, polluted air

Famous photographer Jacob Riis captured the struggle of living in

crowded tenements

URBAN PROBLEMS CONTINUED

Transportation: Cities struggled to provide adequate transit systems

Water: Without safe drinking water cholera and typhoid fever was common

Crime: As populations increased thieves flourished

Fire: Limited water supply and wooden structures combined with the use of candles led to many major urban fires – Chicago 1871 and San Francisco 1906 were two major fires

Harper’s Weekly image of Chicagoans fleeing the fire over the Randolph

Street bridge in 1871

Jacob Riis

Jacob Riis

REFORMERS MOBILIZE Jacob Riis was a reformer who

through his pictures hoped for change– he influenced many

The Social Gospel Movement preached salvation through service to the poor

Some reformers established Settlement Homes

These homes provided a place to stay, classes, health care and other social services

Jane Addams was the most famous member of the Settlement Movement (founded Hull House in Chicago)

Jane Addams and Hull House

SECTION 3: POLITICS IN THE GILDED AGE

As cities grew in the late 19th century, so did political machines

Political machines controlled the activities of a political party in a city

Ward bosses, precinct captains, and the city boss worked to ensure their candidate was elected

ROLE OF THE POLITICAL BOSS

The “Boss” (typically the mayor) controlled jobs, business licenses, and influenced the court system

Precinct captains and ward bosses were often 1st or 2nd generation immigrants so they helped immigrants with naturalization, jobs, and housing in exchange for votes Boss Tweed ran NYC

MUNICIPAL GRAFT AND SCANDAL Some political bosses were

corrupt Some political machines

used fake names and voted multiple times to ensure victory (“Vote early and often”) – called Election fraud

Graft (bribes) was common among political bosses

Construction contracts often resulted in “kick-backs”

The fact that police forces were hired by the boss prevented close scrutiny

THE TWEED RING SCANDAL

William M. Tweed, known as Boss Tweed, became head of Tammany Hall, NYC’s powerful Democratic political machines

Between 1869-1871, Tweed led the Tweed Ring, a group of corrupt politicians, in defrauding the city

Tweed was indicted on 120 counts of fraud and extortion

Tweed was sentenced to 12 years in jail – released after one, arrested again, and escaped to Spain

Boss Tweed

CIVIL SERVICE REPLACES PATRONAGE

Nationally, some politicians pushed for reform in the hiring system

The system had been based on Patronage; giving jobs and favors to those who helped a candidate get elected

Reformers pushed for an adoption of a merit system of hiring the most qualified for jobs

The Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 authorized a bipartisan commission to make appointments for federal jobs based on performanceApplicants for federal jobs

are required to take a Civil Service Exam

THE PROGRESSIVEERA

AMERICA SEEKS REFORMS IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY

ORIGINS OF PROGRESSIVISM

As America entered into the 20th century, middle class reformers addressed many social problems

Work conditions, rights for women and children, economic reform, environmental issues and social welfare were a few of these issues

FOUR GOALS OF REFORMERS

1) Protect Social Welfare

2) Promote Moral Improvement

3) Create Economic Reform

4) Foster Efficiency

1.PROTECT SOCIAL WELFARE Industrialization in the late

19th century was largely unregulated

Employers felt little responsibility toward their workers

As a result Settlement homes and churches served the community

Also the YMCA and Salvation Army took on service roles

2. PROMOTE MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Some reformers felt that the answer to societies problems was personal behavior

They proposed such reforms as prohibition

Groups wishing to ban alcohol included the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)

3. CREATE ECONOMIC REFORM

The Panic of 1893 prompted some Americans to question the capitalist economic system

As a result some workers embraced socialism

Eugene Debs organized the American Socialist Party in 1901 Debs encouraged workers to reject

American Capitalism

MUCKRAKERS CRITICIZE BIG BUSINESS

Though most progressives did not embrace socialism, many writers saw the truth in Debs’ criticism

Journalists known as “Muckrakers” exposed corruption in business

Ida Tarbell exposed Standard Oil Company’s cut-throat methods of eliminating competition

Ida Tarbell

Some view Michael Moore as a modern muckraker

4. FOSTERING EFFICIENCY

Many Progressive leaders put their faith in scientific principles to make society better

In Industry, Frederick Taylor began using time & motion studies to improve factory efficiency

Taylorism became an Industry fad as factories sought to complete each task quickly

CLEANING UP LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Efforts at reforming local government stemmed from the desire to make government more efficient and responsive to citizens

Some believe it also was meant to limit immigrants influence in local governments

REGULATING BIG BUSINESS

Under the progressive Republican leadership of Robert La Follette, Wisconsin led the way in regulating big business

Robert La Follette

PROTECTING WORKING CHILDREN

As the number of child workers rose, reformers worked to end child labor

Children were more prone to accidents caused by fatigue

Nearly every state limited or banned child labor by 1918

EFFORTS TO LIMIT HOURS

The Supreme Court and the states enacted or strengthened laws reducing women’s hours of work

Progressives also succeeded in winning worker’s compensation to aid families of injured workers

ELECTION REFORM

Citizens fought for, and won, such measures as secret ballots, referendum votes, and the recall

Citizens could petition and get initiatives on the ballot

In 1899, Minnesota passed the first statewide primary system

DIRECT ELECTION OF SENATORS

Before 1913, each state’s legislature had chosen its own U.S. senators

To force senators to be more responsive to the public, progressives pushed for the popular election of senators

As a result, Congress passed the 17th Amendment (1913)

SECTION 2: WOMEN IN PUBLIC LIFE

Before the Civil War, American women were expected to devote their time to home and family

By the late 19th and early 20th century, women were visible in the workforce

DOMESTIC WORKERS

Before the turn-of-the-century women without formal education contributed to the economic welfare of their families by doing domestic work

Altogether, 70% of women employed in 1870 were servants

WOMEN IN THE WORK FORCE

Opportunities for women increased especially in the cities

By 1900, one out of five women worked

The garment trade was popular as was office work, department stores and classrooms

WOMEN LEAD REFORM

Many of the leading progressive reformers were women

Middle and upper class women also entered the public sphere as reformers

Many of these women had graduated from new women’s colleges

Colleges like Vassar and Smith allowed women to excel

WOMEN AND REFORM

Women reformers strove to improve conditions at work and home

In 1896, black women formed the National Association of Colored Women (NACW)

Suffrage was another important issue for women

THREE-PART STRATEGY FOR WINNING SUFFRAGE

Suffragists tried three approaches to winning the vote

1) Convince state legislatures to adopt vote (Succeeded in Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Colorado)

2) Pursue court cases to test 14th Amendment

3) Push for national constitutional Amendment

SECTION 3: TEDDY ROOSEVELT’S SQUARE DEAL

When President William McKinley was assassinated 6 months into his second term, Theodore Roosevelt became the nations 26th presidentMcKinley was assassinated by an

anarchist in Buffalo in September of 1901

ROOSEVELT AND THE ROUGH RIDERS

Roosevelt grabbed national attention by advocating war with Spain in 1898

His volunteer cavalry brigade, the Rough Riders, won public acclaim for its role in the battle at San Juan Hill in Cuba

Roosevelt returned a hero and was soon elected governor of NY and later McKinley’s vice-president

Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders

THE MODERN PRESIDENT

When Roosevelt was thrust into the presidency in 1901, he became the youngest president ever at age 42

He quickly established himself as a modern president who could influence the media and shape legislation

TRUSTBUSTING

By 1900, Trusts – legal bodies created to hold stock in many companies – controlled 80% of U.S. industries

Roosevelt filed 44 antitrust suits under the Sherman Antitrust Act

1902 COAL STRIKE

In 1902 140,000 coal miners in Pennsylvania went on strike for increased wages, a 9-hour work day, and the right to unionize

Mine owners refused to bargain

Roosevelt called in both sides and settled the dispute

Thereafter, when a strike threatened public welfare, the federal government was expected to step in and help

“THE JUNGLE” LEADS TO FOOD REGULATION

After reading The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, Roosevelt pushed for passage of the Meat Inspection Act of 1906

The Act mandated cleaner conditions for meatpacking plants

PURE FOOD AND DRUG ACT

In response to unregulated claims and unhealthy products, Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906

The Act halted the sale of contaminated foods and medicines and called for truth in labeling

The Pure Food and Drug Act took medicines with cocaine and other

harmful ingredients off the market

ROOSEVELT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Before Roosevelt’s presidency, the federal government paid very little attention to the nation’s natural resources

Roosevelt made conservation a primary concern of his administration

Roosevelt, left, was an avid outdoorsman – here he is with author

John Muir at Yosemite Park

ROOSEVELT’S ENVIROMENTAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Roosevelt set aside 148 million acres of forest reserves

He also set aside 1.5 million acres of water-power sites and he established 50 wildlife sanctuaries and several national parksYellowstone National

Park, Wyoming

ROOSEVELT AND CIVIL RIGHTS

Roosevelt failed to support Civil Rights for African Americans

He did, however, support a few individuals such as Booker T. Washington

NAACP FORMED TO PROMOTE RIGHTS

In 1909 a number of African Americans and prominent white reformers formed the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

The NAACP had 6,000 members by 1914

The goal of the organization was full equality among the races

The means to achieve this was the court system

1964 Application

SECTION 4: PROGRESSIVISM UNDER PRESIDENT TAFT

Republican William Howard Taft easily defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan to win the 1908 presidential election

Among his accomplishments, Taft “busted” 90 trusts during his 4 years in office Taft, right, was Roosevelt’s

War Secretary

TAFT LOSES POWER

Taft was not popular with the American public nor reform minded Republicans

By 1910, Democrats had regained control of the House of Representatives

Taft called the Presidency, “The lonesomest job in the world”

1912 ELECTION

Republicans split in 1912 between Taft and Teddy Roosevelt (who returned after a long trip to Africa)

Convention delegates nominated Taft

Some Republicans formed a third party – The Bull Moose Party and nominated Roosevelt

The Democrats put forward a reform - minded New Jersey Governor, Woodrow Wilson Republicans split in 1912

WILSON’S NEW FREEDOM

As America’s newly elected president, Wilson moved to enact his program, the “New Freedom”

He planned his attack on what he called the triple wall of privilege: trusts, tariffs, and high finance

W. Wilson U.S. President 1912-1920

CLAYTON ANTITRUST ACT

In 1914 Congress enacted the Clayton Antitrust Act which strengthened the Sherman Act

The Clayton Act prevented companies from acquiring stock from another company (Anti-monopoly)

The Act also supported workers unions

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FORMED

The FTC was formed in 1914 to serve as a “watchdog” agency to end unfair business practices

The FTC protects consumers from business fraud Today the FTC has been working on

protecting consumers from ID theft

FEDERAL INCOME TAX ARRIVES

Wilson worked hard to lower tariffs, however that lost revenue had to be made up

Ratified in 1916, the 16th Amendment legalized a graduated federal income tax

WOMEN WIN SUFFRAGE

Native-born, educated, middle-class women grew more and more impatient

Through local, state and national organization, vigorous protests and World War I, women finally realized their dream in 1920

The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920

LIMITS OF PROGRESSIVISM

While the Progressive era was responsible for many important reforms, it failed to make gains for African Americans

Like Roosevelt and Taft, Wilson retreated on Civil Rights once in office

The KKK reached a membership of 4.5 million in the 1920s