Immigration and Urbanization Summary with Answers

Immigration and Urbanization Summary Following the Civil War, America experienced tremendous change. Millions of immigrants poured into the U.S. in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. They found new opportunities and freedoms, but also many challenges. The era also saw an expansion in business and industry, leading to an incredible growth of cities. Increased immigration, technological innovation, and social changes led to remarkable change in the American way of life. Between 1880 and 1920, 20 million people decided to leave their homes and immigrate to America. The majority of immigrants came from Europe and Asia. Immigrants travelled to America for several reasons. Italian Immigrants at Ellis Island - 1905 Once immigrants reached America, they had to register for entry into the country. Located in New York City, the government center operated from 1892 to 1954. During that time, 12 million immigrants, mostly Europeans, entered America through Ellis Island. The entry process included a series of questions and a medical examination. Around two percent were denied admission and sent back to their homelands because of contagious disease, criminal background, or insanity. Angel Island served as the major entry point for immigrants on the west coast. Operating from 1910 to 1940, Angel Island received 1 million immigrants, mostly of Asian ancestry. Angel Island was located in San Francisco, California. . Mechanization – the use of machines in place of human labor – contributed to the expansion of businesses and industries. Mechanization increased production and decreased farm labor needs. Growing industries created an intense need for labor, convincing many people to move from farms to cities. Following the Civil War land prices increased and crop prices decreased, boosting the movement of people from farms to cities. Urbanization, along with immigration, contributed to an explosion in the size of cities. The rapid growth of cities lead to severe problems. Sewers overflowed, unable to handle all the waste. Garbage piled up in the streets. Overcrowding became a grave situation. Faced with dire circumstances, half the population of New York City, and most immigrants lived in tenement homes at the turn of the century. The apartments were typically cramped, poorly lit, not properly ventilated, and usually lacked indoor plumbing. The filth and stench of tenements caused an increased presence of vermin such as rats and roaches. Unsanitary conditions led to the rampant spread of disease. Another challenge faced by most immigrants was discrimination – As poverty and suffering increased with the growth of cities, many people began working to improve city life and help the poor. Settlement houses served as community centers that helped immigrant families adjust to life in the United States. , settlement houses offered a variety of services, such as nurseries and kindergartens, classes on English, cooking, sewing, and several sports and recreation programs. The most Political machines also worked to help immigrants. Political machines consisted of organized groups of dishonest politicians that used immigrant votes to win elections. Once in power, the machines would use bribes and corruption to gain money. Although corrupt, political machines did provide help to immigrants. Immigration and Urbanization Summary Questions 1. Complete the following chart: Adrienne Scibek Name: ___________________________ Reasons for Increased Immigration to America To Look for better jobs and Limited freedoms in there own To escape there eppresive To adventure. better country, So they moved to the governments and have Opportunities. United States to have better religious freedoms. freedoms. 2. Where did most immigrants settle once they arrived in America? Why? 3. Circle statements that are correct. Mark an X over statements that are NOT correct. Between the Civil War and World War I, America was transformed from an industrial nation to an agricultural nation. The biggest challenge for many new immigrants was finding a job. The majority of immigrants came from South America and Africa. The most famous American entry point was at Ellis Island. The most famous settlerment house was the Hull House, founded by Jane Addams in New York City. 4. Identify the following terms by writing a description OR drawing a picture to explain its meaning. Mechanization Urbanization the use of machines in place of human labor – contributed to the Urbanization is the term used to expansion of businesses and from rural to urban areas. describe the movement of people Discrimination A unfair treatment based on race, religion or ethnic background. industries. 5. What are tenements? Describe what it was like to live in a tenement. Tenements were apartment buildings that where in run down urban areas. The apartments where poorly lit, cramped, lacked indoor pluming, and not properly ventilated.There would be multiple family's living in one apartment. The filth and stench of the tenements caused there to be a increase of roaches and rats and also led to disease. 6. How were settlement houses and political machines similar? How were they different? Settlement houses and political machines where similar because the settlement houses would help support the immigrants but every person that they helped ended up getting there vote on the political machines. The machines would provide finding jobs or a place to live then later on would ensure that they got there vote. 7. What problems were created by the rapid growth of cities? The problems that where created in the rapid growth of cities was over population, disease, clutterness, discriminated, increased rats and roaches along with disease and so forth.