Focuses on the dramatic growth of American cities, the experiences of "New Immigrants" from Southern and Eastern Europe, the harsh realities of tenement life, and the rise of nativist sentiment.
What characterized the "New Immigrants" of the late 19th century?
They primarily came from Southern and Eastern Europe (e.g., Italy, Poland, Russia). They were often Catholic or Jewish, poor, unskilled, spoke little English, and settled in crowded urban ethnic enclaves.
How did "New Immigrants" differ from "Old Immigrants"?
"Old Immigrants" (pre-1880s) mostly came from Northern and Western Europe (e.g., Britain, Germany, Ireland). They were typically Protestant (except the Irish) and were perceived as assimilating more easily.
What were tenement houses?
Overcrowded, poorly built apartment buildings in city slums. They were known for poor sanitation, lack of ventilation and light, and extreme fire hazards, housing a large number of immigrant families.
What was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?
The first major U.S. law to restrict immigration based on nationality and race. It banned all new immigration of Chinese laborers, reflecting the era's powerful nativist sentiment, particularly on the West Coast.
What is "nativism"?
An anti-immigrant sentiment or policy that favors the interests of native-born inhabitants over those of immigrants. In the Gilded Age, it was fueled by economic competition, religious prejudice, and fear of foreign political ideas.
How did political machines often interact with new immigrants?
Machines, like Tammany Hall, provided immigrants with essential services such as jobs, food, and legal aid. In exchange, they expected immigrants to vote for their candidates, creating a loyal base of political support.
What were the main "push factors" driving immigration from Europe?
Key factors pushing immigrants from their home countries included poverty and overcrowding, lack of economic opportunity, political turmoil, and religious persecution (e.g., pogroms against Jews in Russia).
What were the main "pull factors" attracting immigrants to the United States?
Key factors pulling immigrants to the U.S. included the promise of economic opportunity, abundant industrial jobs, political and religious freedom, and letters from family members who had already immigrated ("chain migration").
What was the function of Ellis Island?
Opened in 1892, it was the primary federal immigration processing center in the U.S., located in New York Harbor. Millions of European immigrants passed through its gates, where they were inspected for health and legal eligibility.
Who was Jacob Riis and what was the impact of his book "How the Other Half Lives"?
Riis was a photojournalist whose 1890 book exposed the squalid living conditions in New York City's tenements. His powerful images shocked the middle class and spurred calls for housing and sanitation reform.
What new forms of transportation developed in Gilded Age cities?
Electric trolleys, elevated railroads ("els"), and subways allowed cities to expand outward. This enabled the growth of suburbs and separated residential areas from central business districts.
What was the purpose of an "ethnic enclave"?
These were urban neighborhoods where immigrants from the same country or region clustered. They provided a sense of community and support, preserving language, culture, and religion in a new and often hostile environment.
What was Angel Island's role in immigration?
Located in San Francisco Bay, Angel Island was the main immigration station on the West Coast. It processed mostly Asian immigrants, particularly Chinese, and was known for its harsh interrogation methods and long detentions.
What was the American Protective Association?
A nativist, anti-Catholic secret society founded in 1887. It was openly prejudiced against immigrants and Roman Catholics, urging its members not to vote for or employ them.
