Cities, Immigrants and Populist Chapter 6 Cities, Immigrants and Populist

Urbanization Growth of cities; mostly in northeast & Midwest. Most immigrants, as well as native born, moved to cities. This was due to find work & cheap shelter. Urban Problems Overcrowded cities gave people housing problems. Many lived in cramped tenements that were unsanitary. Middle-class moved out of the industrial districts for better housing This also led to water supply problems, sanitation problems, crime, & fire. Traffic congestion

Political Machines With the new immigrants it brought many new voters to politics Political Machine- was set up to offer services to immigrants in return for political & financial support. This leads to fraud & corruption They provided jobs & services to immigrants & other poor residents in return for their votes. Those running for political positions did so for opportunities for graft. They received support from those looking for patronage. Most known Boss Tweed of NYC.

Immigration Old Immigrants: from northern Europe who mostly spoke English & similar culture New Immigrants: from southern Europe who did speak English & different culture Most immigrants came to escape grinding poverty Immigrants were drawn by the promise of America Struggled with the unfamiliar customs of American ways (Americanize)& with employment Could only find it at unskilled jobs for long hours and little pay

ELLIS ISLAND ANGEL ISLAND

Restrictions Due to influx of immigrants that led to the melting pot gave rise to anti-immigration sentiment Nativism- favoring native born Americans Chinese Exclusion Act- lasted from 1882-1943. Limited Chinese immigration to students, teachers, merchants, tourist, & government officials Gentlemen’s Agreement: between US & Japan to limit Japanese immigrants

Populist Movement Battle between big business and he “common man” (farmer, workers) Government started to take greenbacks out of circulation Farmers were paying extremely high rates to the railroads & railroads corruption. Farmers had to get loans in order to pay for their materials & they were charged high interest rates Interstate Commerce Act: federal regulation over “unfair” business practices

Reasons for crop & livestock droppings In response the farmers begin to unite (Grange, Farmers Alliance, Cooperatives) Reasons for crop & livestock droppings Overproduction International competition Not as much money in circulation Shipping costs were high Farmers became in debt Natural disasters

Populist “Omaha” Platform Increase of the money supply graduated income tax Federal loan program Senators elected by the people One term President & Vice President 8 hour workday & restrict immigration

Panic of 1893 Monetary Policy was the main culprit. Money people lost faith in the paper currency & went to the bank to redeem their paper for gold. This led to bank closures & stock market plunged. The debate of what the currency should be backed by? Gold- the currency should be based on the amount of gold in circulation. Favored by big business & banks Bimetallism- the currency backed by gold & silver. Allowed more money supply & favored by the working man

Panic of 1893 William Jennings Bryan- leader of the populist movement & proponent of bimetallism *Populist Movement begins to fade after Bryan loses the President election in 1896 but succeeds with Progressive Movement later on*