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Rise of the New American City. 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.
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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