1. Chapters 14 Cities and Immigration
U.S. History
Chapters 14
Cities and Immigration

2. Immigrants form Southern and Eastern Europe
Section 1

3. Words to Know
Ghetto: A neighborhood where people of the same race, religion, or country live.
Tenement: An apartment house with poor safety, sanitation, and comfort conditions.
Skyscraper: A very tall building with many floors, elevators, and steel frame.

4. New Immigrants
1840’s-1870’s: most came from southern and eastern Europe.
GB, Ireland, Germany
“New” Immigrants 1880’s +:
“New” meant they were different than prior immigrants
Russia, Poland, Italy, and Greece
Settled in NYC, Newark, NJ, Cleve, Detroit, Chicago

5. New Immigrants cont. Religions mostly: Most did not speak English
Catholic
Jewish
Greek Orthodox
Most did not speak English
Used to living and working in different conditions
Saw US as a place to begin a new life
Wars
Violence
Religious Freedom

6. Coming to America After 1892: Problems
Landed on Ellis Island (small island by S. O. L.)
Checked for diseases
Ellis Island used for the next 60 years
Records kept
Problems
Language
No skills
No money to buy land
Living in cities/working at factories

7. Changing Cities Populations exploded Live next to one another
Language
Religion
Customs
: cities grew from 10m - 50m
Lived in the ghettos (separate from other parts)
Dishonest Americans cheated them:
Out of money (higher prices)
Hate

8. Living in Cities Rapid growth between 1860 and 1900:
Not enough places to live
Tenements set up
To many people in one living space
Neighborhoods dirty and crowded
Noise
Garbage
Bugs/rats
Led to diseases

9. Unsafe Workplaces Jobs in factories Long hours Little pay Poor light
Little fresh air

10. Fire Always a danger in overcrowded cities
1911: fire at Triangle Shirtwaist Co.:
New York City
Workers not able to leave building quickly:
Doors were locked
140+ workers died:
Mostly women

11. Crime Big problem for people living in poor, crowded neighborhoods
Pickpockets
Gangs
Attacked and robbed people
More police added, but crime rose to fast for police to control
GOOD POINTS
Excitement/new opportunities
Public schools and colleges
Museums/libraries/theaters/shops/sports
CHANGING LANDSCAPE
Growth of steel industry and electric power
Skyscrapers

12. Classwork
None