IMMIGRATION AND URBANIZATION

1. IMMIGRATION AND URBANIZATION STATUE OF LIBERTY POEM AT ITS BASE WRITTEN BY EMMA LAZARUS IN 1883 Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand a mighty woman with a torch, whose flame is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command the air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame, “keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she with silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore, send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Do we really mean this today?

2. Important Points about Immigration • Past immigrants mostly came from Western European countries. • 20 million immigrants in this time period (1870-1920) mostly came from eastern and southern Europe, Mexico, Asia, Caribbean. • Most arrived on the East Coast through Ellis Island. • Asians arrived through Angel Island in San Francisco • Biggest challenge: America’s culture and language • Nativist thinking swelled again as Americans were confronted with people who looked different, spoke differently, and whose culture was vastly different from theirs. • People demanded restrictions on immigrants and new anti-immigrant groups formed. • America had become a melting pot. • Most distrusted groups were Chinese and Japanese – 2 acts passed: • Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) 2. Gentleman’s Agreement (1907-1908) • Areas grew up in cities that were exclusively inhabited by the different immigrant groups such as Chinatown in New York and also on the west coast.

3. Challenges of Urbanization • Industrialization made possible by cheap labor provided by immigrants. Majority of immigrants lived in cities in Northeast and Midwest – New York City and Chicago. • Farmers also migrated to cities because new technology in farm equipment made many of their jobs obsolete. • 3. Problems arose as a result: • Unsanitary, Increased Crime Rate, More Fires, Housing Shortage, Transportation issues, Bad Drinking Water, Overcrowded Tenements • Americanization movement occurred.

4. 4. Young, middle class, college-educated women become the social reformers once again. Establish Settlement Houses – a community center whose goal was to assist immigrants in settling into their new country. Most famous settlement house, Jane Addams’ Hull House in Chicago. Worked with immigrants to teach them the language, arrange for child care, nursing care, and friendship in a strange country.

5. Corrupt Politics Rule During the Gilded Age (Industrial Era) Gilded Age – Term coined by Mark Twain – Gilding was a process of covering an inferior metal with Gold – Looks good on the outside – corrupt/corrosive on the inside. One of the most corrupt political times in our history. Many cities were, in fact, run by politicians. They took bribes and became wealthy by pocketing the money. The political machines were run by a Boss. Took advantage of immigrants. Exchanged licenses and favors for votes. “You need a birth certificate showing your daughter is of the age to work. Sure no problem. I’ll get one if you pledge your support to my political work.” The boss controlled the city: licensing, police, fire, sanitation. Many had been immigrants themselves. They could speak to the immigrants in their own languages. A lot of dogs and dead people voted in elections – corrupted the registration process. Most famous political boss was Boss Tweed (William Tweed) who ran the Democratic political machine from Tammany Hall in NYC. Thomas Nast (remember him from Civil War days) political cartoonist made fun of Tweed in political cartoons. Tweed hated him because his supporters might not be able to read the newspapers, but they could understand Nast’s political cartoons that showed how corrupt Tweed was.

6. The Civil Service System Replaces Patronage Patronage had been around since Andrew Jackson’s day. Reformers wanted an end to it. Wanted a new system that would only allow people who were qualified to serve in certain positions – had to take a Civil Service Examination. Comes to fruition after President Garfield was assassinated Stalwarts did not want a change. Mugwumps did. Garfield was a Mugwump . After VP Arthur took office, he pushed a Civil Service reform bill through Congress – called the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883. Now without funds from job seekers in the governments who supported candidates, candidates had to turn to big business for money to run their campaigns. Strengthened the ties between government and big business.

7. The Issue of a High Tariff Dominated Politics in the Late 1800s President Cleveland – Democrat – Favored Reduced Tariffs President Harrison – Republican – Signed McKinley Tariff Act – raised tariffs to an all-time high When Cleveland defeated Harrison in 1892, he was unsuccessful in reducing tariffs. Thus Cleveland became our 22nd and 24th president. Only one to serve two non-consecutive terms. President McKinley – Republican – favored high tariffs