1. Industrialization, Westward Expansion, Immigration, and Urbanization
2-3: Immigration, Urbanization and Political Machines

2. Immigrants: East Coast
(Pg. 56 bell ringer packet)
Starting in the late 19th century a new wave of “new immigrants” (Italy, Poland, Russia, the Balkans; and many Jewish immigrants) came to the country
On the East coast, immigrants from Eastern, and Southeastern Europe entered the country, many at Ellis Island (NYC)

3. Immigrants: west Coast
(Pg. 56 bell ringer packet)
On the Pacific coast immigrants from China initially came to help build the transcontinental railroad
Additionally new Japanese immigrants also began to arrive
Many of these immigrants went through a processing center similar to Ellis Island at Angel Island, San Francisco
Eventually children of immigrants became Americanized, adopting the beliefs and culture of their new nation

5. Urbanization
(Pg. 58 bell ringer packet)
Many of these immigrants were necessary for industrialization
They also contributed to a population boom, and the increase of American cities—urbanization
Rural former farmers also moved there
Overcrowding was common, and resulted in urban dwellers living in dilapidated tenement housing—low cost housing, but dark and dirty

7. Political Machines
(Pg. 36 handout notes)
Political machines were organizations common in big cities, designed to keep certain individuals and political parties in power
They DID provide new immigrants with basic services (housing, a job, a suit of clothing)
They were also VERY corrupt, and often engaged in graft and financial fraud
Most infamous political machine:
Tammany Hall (the organization)
Boss Tweed (the individual leader of the organization)

9. Discrimination Discrimination towards immigrants was common
(Pg handout notes)
Discrimination towards immigrants was common
Native born Americans often were suspicious of new political beliefs that new immigrants brought with them—a sentiment called Nativism
This discrimination was highlighted by the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882), which stopped Chinese immigration entirely; and forbade Chinese individuals from voting or testifying in court

10. Comprehension Question
Explain what a political machine is, what services it provided, and what problems they caused. Also, what was the most infamous political machine in the late 19th century U.S.?