15.

1
IMMIGRATION
 CHAPTER 15: URBAN AMERICA
Topic: Industrialization and Progressivism (1877-1920)
Ignited by post-Civil War demand and fueled by
technological advancements, large-scale
industrialization began in the United States during
the late 1800s. Growing industries enticed foreign
immigration, fostered urbanization, gave rise to the
American labor movement and developed the
infrastructure that facilitated the settling of the
West. A period of progressive reform emerged in
response to political corruption and practices of big
business.
 15.1

12. Immigration, internal migration and urbanization

transformed American life.
 15.1

Europeans Flood
Into the United
States
By 1890s half of all
immigrants in United
States
were eastern and
southern Europeans.
Italians, Greeks, Slavs,
Slovaks, Russians, and
Armenians.
 15.1

Reasons for
Immigration
Poor rural families came
simply because US had
plenty of jobs and
few immigration
restrictions.
Many moved to avoid
military service.
Others, especially
Jews in Poland and
Russia, fled to avoid
religious persecution.
Chance to break
away from
Europes rigid class
structure.
 15.1

The Atlantic Voyage

Getting to the US
was difficult
Steerage- the most
basic and cheapest
accommodations
on a steamship.
Fourteen day
journey arrived at
Ellis Island.
 15.1

Ellis Island
Most passed through in one day.
Medical examinations
H- Heart
K- hernias
Sc- scalp problems
X- mental disability
 15.1

Ethnic Cities
Many immigrants
settled in the
nations cities.
Immigrants made
up a large
percentage of
nations cities.
Immigrants lived in
neighborhoods
separated into
ethnic groups
How well immigrants did
depended on how quickly
they learned the
language.
1 in 3 immigrants returned
to Europe
 15.1

Asian Immigration to
America
Many Chinese
began to arrive in US
in mid-1800s.
China had reached
430 million-
country was facing
unemployment,
poverty, and famine.
Many Chinese
worked on the
railroad.
Japanese also
immigrated to US in
large numbers 1900-
1910.
Many arrived on Angel
Island.
 15.1

The Resurgence of Nativism

Nativism- the extreme
dislike of immigrants by
native-born people and a
desire to limit immigration.
Anti-immigrant feelings
focused on Asians, Jews,
and eastern Europeans.
Nativists
opposed
immigration
because:
Catholics would
swamp mostly
protestant United
States
Labor unions opposed
them because
immigrants would work
for lower wages.
 15.1

Prejudice Against
Newcomers
American Protective
Association- despised
Catholics and foreigners
and committed to stop
immigration
Workingmans Party
of California-
designed to fight
Chinese immigration
 15.1

Impact of Anti-Immigrant
Movement
1882- law banned
immigration of convicts,
paupers, and mentally
disabled.
Chinese Exclusion Act-
law barred Chinese
immigration for 10 years
and prevented Chinese
in US from becoming
citizens.