U.S. HistoryChapters 14

Cities and Immigration

Immigrants form Southern and Eastern Europe

Section 1

Words to KnowGhetto: A neighborhood where people of the

same race, religion, or country live.

Tenement: An apartment house with poor safety, sanitation, and comfort conditions.

Skyscraper: A very tall building with many floors, elevators, and steel frame.

New Immigrants1840’s-1870’s: most

came from southern and eastern Europe. GB, Ireland, Germany

“New” Immigrants 1880’s +: “New” meant they were

different than prior immigrants

Russia, Poland, Italy, and Greece

Settled in NYC, Newark, NJ, Cleve, Detroit, Chicago

New Immigrants cont. Religions mostly:

Catholic Jewish Greek Orthodox

Most did not speak English

Used to living and working in different conditions

Saw US as a place to begin a new life Wars Violence Religious Freedom

Coming to AmericaAfter 1892:

Landed on Ellis Island (small island by S. O. L.)

Checked for diseases Ellis Island used for the

next 60 years Records kept

Problems Language No skills No money to buy land Living in cities/working

at factories

Changing Cities Populations exploded

Live next to one another Language Religion Customs

1870-1920: cities grew from 10m - 50m

Lived in the ghettos (separate from other parts)

Dishonest Americans cheated them: Out of money (higher

prices) Hate

Living in CitiesRapid growth

between 1860 and 1900: Not enough places to

live Tenements set up To many people in one

living space Neighborhoods dirty

and crowded Noise Garbage Bugs/rats Led to diseases

Unsafe WorkplacesJobs in factories

Long hoursLittle payPoor lightLittle fresh air

Fire Always a danger in

overcrowded cities

1911: fire at Triangle Shirtwaist Co.: New York City Workers not able to leave

building quickly:Doors were locked140+ workers died:

Mostly women

Crime Big problem for people living in

poor, crowded neighborhoods Pickpockets Gangs

Attacked and robbed people More police added, but crime rose to fast for

police to control

GOOD POINTS

Excitement/new opportunities

Public schools and colleges

Museums/libraries/theaters/shops/sports

CHANGING LANDSCAPE

Growth of steel industry and electric power Skyscrapers

ClassworkNone