1. Immigrants and Urbanization

2. The New Immigrants
Ellis Island: inspection station for immigrants on east coast
Angel Island: Inspection station for immigrants on west coast
Melting Pot: mixture of different cultures
Nativism: favoritism towards native-born Americans
Chinese Exclusion Act: Act that limited Chinese Immigration
Gentlemen’s Agreement: Limited Japanese emigration to the U.S.

3. Through the “Golden Door”
Between , about 20 million Europeans immigrated to the US
Some came to escape religious persecution, improve economic situation, get greater freedom, escape political turmoil
Immigrants also came from Asia, Caribbean, and Mexico

4. Life in the New Land
Many immigrants traveled to US on steamships in cramped, unsanitary spaces
European immigrants entered through Ellis Island, Asian immigrants entered through Angel Island
Cultural barriers made life difficult for immigrants
Many immigrants settled in communities with immigrants from the same country

5. Immigration Restrictions
America described as a melting pot even though some immigrants refused to give up culture and become part of American society
Some Americans were prejudiced against immigrants and demanded restrictions on immigration
The Chinese exclusion Act and Gentleman’s agreement were passed to limit Asian immigration, Americans blamed them for taking too many jobs

6. The Challenges of Urbanization
Urbanization: growth of cities
Americanization movement: program to teach American culture to immigrants
Tenement: multifamily urban dwelling
Mass transit: system to transport large numbers of people on fixed routes
Social Gospel Movement: Movement that urged people to help the poor
Settlement house: community center that addressed problems in slum neighborhoods
Jane Addams: social reformer that helped the poor

7. Urban Opportunities
Many new immigrants settled in cities in early 1900’s led to rapid urbanization
Newcomers learned about their new country through the Americanization Movement
Farmers also moved to cities, many of which were African Americans looking to escape hardship and racial violence, many found prejudice and low wages in the North

8. Urban Problems
Urbanization created problems such as housing, transportation, safe drinking water, sanitation, crime, and fires

9. Reformers Mobilize
The Social Gospel Movement led many Americans to help the poor and move towards reform
Settlement houses were formed to help immigrants make the transition of moving to the US
Jane Addams established Hull House to help the poor of Chicago

10. Politics of the Gilded Age
Political Machine: group that controlled a political party
Graft: illegal use of political influence for personal gain
Boss Tweed: Head of New York City’s powerful Democratic political machine
Patronage: giving gov’t jobs to friends
Civil service: gov’t administration

11. 6. Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, Chester Arthur: 19-21st presidents of US that promoted reform in politics 7. Pendleton Civil Service Act: implemented merit system in civil service hiring system 8. Grover Cleveland: 22nd and 24th Pres. That promoted reform 9. Benjamin Harrison: 23rd Pres. Raised tariffs against wishes of the people

12. Emergence of Political Machines
During 1800’s many cities were dominated by political machines that offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for support
City Bosses were politicians that headed the political machine
By controlling the cities’ finances and by solving problems for voters, bosses won loyalty and influence

13. Municipal Graft and Scandal
Many city bosses became corrupt, became rich through graft, gained votes illegally, and took kickbacks in city funded projects
Boss Tweed and Tamany Hall were infamous City Boss and machine in New York City
Thomas Nast drew political cartoons depicting the corrupt Boss Tweed which would eventually lead to Tweed’s arrest in France

14. Civil Service Reform
The Government eventually agreed to pass the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 to get rid of patronage and award people jobs based on merit instead of favoritism