Immigration and Urbanization

Immigration Europeans were coming to the United States Europeans were coming to the United States –Jobs –Avoid military service –Religious persecution –Opportunity European countries European countries made it easier to made it easier to move move –Loose laws

Immigration Voyage was not easy Voyage was not easy –Not the best living conditions –Lots of people, not a lot of space –14 days Ellis Island Ellis Island –Ship loads of people ushered through –Medical exams If not fit to enter, they were sent If not fit to enter, they were sent back back

Immigration Most immigrants moved to cities Most immigrants moved to cities –Separated by ethnic groups Able to speak native language Able to speak native language Had to adjust Had to adjust –Learn English –Find a job

Immigration Asians Asians –China was facing overpopulation and severe unemployment –Gold rush in California lured many to leave –Worked on railroads –Opened up own businesses Stayed on West Coast Stayed on West Coast

Immigration Rise in Nativism Rise in Nativism –Mainly against Asians, Jews, Eastern Europeans Laws passed Laws passed –Chinese Exclusion Act Prevented Chinese from coming to America Prevented Chinese from coming to America Those here couldn’t become citizens Those here couldn’t become citizens

Urbanization When populations rise, the areas surrounding become more like a city When populations rise, the areas surrounding become more like a city –Skyscrapers built –Mass transit Horsecars, cable cars Horsecars, cable cars –Separation of classes High class, middle class, working class High class, middle class, working class

Urbanization Problems Problems –Crime rate jumped dramatically Murder rate high Murder rate high –Alcohol –Disease and pollution Politics Politics –Political machines take over and try to fix problems Fixed problems, but used fraud and scams to get money Fixed problems, but used fraud and scams to get money

Urbanization Social Darwinism Social Darwinism –Survival of the fittest –Created an excuse for economy, politics, and general social structure