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Explore the challenges faced by American cities in the late 19th century due to rapid growth and immigration, and the social reform responses that emerged to address these issues.
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In the City • Culture and traditions threatened • Many contending for same jobs, housing, and power • Rapid growth strains city services, housing, sanitation • Native born responses: • Clean up mess • Fix the physical environment and destroy distinctive social customs
Who and Where? • 1860-1890 10 million immigrants coming from N. Europe • After 1880 many from S. and E. Europe • 1890 4 out of 5 people in N.Y. born abroad or first generation • Belief in a better life in America
Cont…. • 1892 Ellis Island major center for processing incoming immigrants • South Western states see Mexicans, Chinese, and Japanese entering • Stayed close to point of entry, except those with some $
In the City cont……… • Clustering eased transition • Ethnic groups with larger #’s, more positive experiences • Began to see communities not of just same nationality, but same European region
Rise of the Slums • Subdivisions of old buildings • Disease rampant, especially for children • Suburbs on the rise, getting out of the city • A cycle began, laws and prejudice forbade mobility for poor • Near industrial districts, environmental quality poor
Social Reform Responses • Establishment of YMCA and YWCA, to assist poor children • Salvation Army; earliest and one of the most effective • Started by William Booth • 1880 sent uniformed volunteers to America • Provide food, shelter, and temporary employment • Goal: teach solid middle class virtues
Cont……. • Social Gospel Movement • William Rainford1870’s- 1880’s • Wealthy class part of equation • Used large downtown churches for social services • Received support from likes of JP Morgan • Successful in creating recreational facilities and industrial training programs
Cont…. • Washington Gladden similar plan in Ohio • AppliedChristianity commits each individual to fight social injustice • Walter Rauschenbusch brings idea to NY • Unite churches for change • Movements attracted only a handful of Protestants, but did manage some change
Help For the System • Jane Addams: from wealthy family in Illinois • Saw how the other half lived, mission to change things • Established settlement houses • Chose to live in the areas most distressed • 1889 Hull House created • Social center for recent immigrants • Provided English classes, laundry, child care services, ect…
Cont….. • Emphasis placed on maintaining ethnic customs, and learning American ways • Settlement houses sprang up around country • Some success with being heard within politics • Not enough for sweeping change