Immigration, & Urbanization The Transformation of the United States, 1861-1900

20 Million European Immigrants Arrive In U.S. Between 1870-1920 Before 1890, immigrants came from Ireland & Germany. Beginning in the 1890’s, increasing numbers come from southern & eastern Europe Reasons: religious persecution scarcity of farmland Unemployment escape from revolution

Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans, West Indians Come to US via West Coast Chinese first arrive after discovery of gold and stay to work on railroads. Hawaiian planters recruit Japanese workers 700,000 Mexicans emigrate from Mexico to find work & escape political upheaval

The Journey Most immigrants travelled in steerage---in the ship’s cargo holds Crossing from Europe to America approximately one week Crossing the Pacific took nearly 3 weeks

Ellis Island Europeans went to Ellis Island Between 1892-1924, processes 17 million people

Processing on Ellis Island Ordeal that might take 5+ hours Needed to pass physical exam Anyone with serious health problem, like TB, sent home After passing exam, documents checked and immigrant questioned Criminal record? Able to work? Had at least $25? (Requirement after 1909)

Immigrant Processing At Ellis Island

Slovenian Immigrants

Family of Immigrants on Ellis Island

Immigrants Leaving Ellis Island

Angel Island Asians, went to Angel Island on San Francisco Bay Between 1910-1940, 50,000 Chinese immigrants entered US Angel Island harsher experience than Ellis

Angel Island Processing

The Immigrant’s Challenges Immigrant needs to Find place to live Get a job Get along in daily life Learn unfamiliar language Chain Migration Ethnic Communities: Many sought out others who shared cultural & religious values; spoke their native language.

Nativism Are we a “melting pot” or a “tossed salad”? Nativism: What is it American Protective Society founded in 1887 Immigration Restriction League Extra-special prejudice against Asians: Chinese Exclusion Act (1882): Gentlemen’s Agreement (1907-8) between US & Japan

Most Immigrants Move to Cities Why? cheap & convenient places to live offered steady jobs in mills & factories By 1910, immigrants make up more than half the total population of 18 major cities Americanization Movement

Urbanization Technology, industrialization & immigration contribute to the urbanization of America in the 19th & early 20th centuries What is urbanization?

Migration from Country to City Rapid improvements in farm technology (McCormick reaper & steel plow) meant fewer farm workers needed. Jim Crow laws 200.000 southern African-Americans left the South between 1890-1919

Urban Problems: Housing Tenements: Row houses packed many single family row houses were occupied by two or three immigrant families. They were overcrowded & lacked basic sanitation

Urban Problems: Transportation Innovations in mass transit Cities struggled to repair old transportation systems and build new ones to keep up with rising population

Urban Problems: Clean Water Cities built large public waterworks to keep up with demand Need to prevent water-borne illnesses prevent diseases (cholera & typhoid) Many urban dwellers did not have access to safe water in early 20th century

Other Issues: Sanitation, Crime & Fire Hygiene ongoing issue Crime: Too few police Fire constant threat to cities Limited water supply. Major city fires occurred in 1870’s & 1880’s. Fire departments formed Replacement of wood with brick, stone, or concrete made cities safer