2. Cities, Immigrants and Populist
Chapter 6
Cities, Immigrants and Populist

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. ELLIS ISLAND
ANGEL ISLAND

7. 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 Limited Chinese immigration to students, teachers, merchants, tourist, & government officials
Gentlemen’s Agreement: between US & Japan to limit Japanese immigrants

9. 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

10. 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

12. 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

13. 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

15. 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*