1. GILDED AGE

2. Arrival Once in US, immigrants deal with “runners”
Agents who speak their language, are the same ethnicity
Work to help immigrants find work, housing, travel

3. The Real “Runner” Goal is to gain the newcomer’s trust
Then they swindle the immigrants out of cash and/or property
Immigrants get overpriced travel tickets and boardinghouse accomodations.

4. Jobs for Immigrants
Early on, business owners placed ads in foreign newspapers to attract immigrants.
They needed people to work
Build railroads
Build buildings
Work in factories
They are promised good jobs and cheap land.

5. Jobs for Immigrants Newcomers are taken advantage of.
They don’t speak English.
They are expendable - can easily be replaced.
Take jobs for lower wages - they are resented for doing this.

6. Urbanization Growth of cities
Failed farmers and new immigrants rushing to cities for opportunities
Tenements – Multi family urban housing
No sewage, dark, no air, disease, crowded
Poor working conditions, no rights
Strikes or injury = no job
Crime & Corruption
Pickpockets, thieves
Corrupt government officials
Alcoholism

7. Where do they live?
Most immigrants moved to an area with others similar to them:
Can continue customs, language, food, etc.
Birth of Chinatown, Little Italy, Little Poland, etc.

9. Tenement Issues Most are run by unethical landlords.
They are there for profit only.
Common issues:
Floors leaked
Pipes burst
Stairs were broken
Plaster fell off the walls
Cold in winter, hot in summer

12. Women and Children
Women could not vote, go to college, terrible wages and long hours
Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
156 women die
Children forced from school
Little money, unsafe conditions, long hours

16. Effect Problems of Industrialization
People begin fighting back for rights
The Progressives
Leads to reforms in cities, working conditions, government, socially