Chapter 18: The Growth of Cities and American Culture 1865-1900 Flashcards
“Old Immigrants”
Immigrants from Northern and Western Europe all throughout the 1800s
~From: the British Isles, Germany, and Scandinavia
~Mostly Protestant, a sizable minority were Irish and German Catholics
~Language (mostly English speaking) and high literacy level and occupational skills helped them blend into American society
“New Immigrants”
Immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe beginning in the 1890s
~From: Italy, Greece, Croatia, Slovakia, Poland, and Russia
~Manly Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Jewish
~Many were poor and illiterate peasants who left autocratic countries and were unaccustomed to democratic traditions
~Crowded into poor ethnic communities in New York, Chicago, and other major cities upon arrival
~Young men contracted for unskilled labor in factories, mines, and construction jobs. They would then return to their native lands once they had saved a fair sum of money to bring back to their families
Ellis Island
The major immigration center in New York opened in 1892
~New arrivals had to pass more rigorous medical and document examinations and pay an entry tax before being allowed into the United States
American Protective Association
A nativist society who advocated against immigration
~Opened prejudiced against Roman Catholics
Skyscrapers
Became popular after land values increased
~1885: William Le Baron Jenny built the 1st skyscraper (Home Insurance Company Building-10 stories)
~Possible due to innovations such as the Otis elevator and central steam heating
Ghettos
Created by different immigrant groups to maintain its own language, culture, church or temple, and social club
~Often crowded, unhealthy, and crime ridden neighborhoods
~Springboards for ambitious and hardworking immigrants and their version of the American dream
Suburbs
The way for upper and middle class Americans to escape the city problems
~The late 1860s: Frederick Law Olmsted designed a suburban community (began the world’s first suburban nation)
~Factors that promoted suburban growth:
1. Abundant land at low cost
2. Inexpensive transportation by rail
3. Low cost construction methods
4. Ethnic and racial prejudice
5. An American fondness for grass, privacy, and detached individual houses
Frederick Law Olmsted
Designed a suburban community in the late 1860s
~Had graceful curved roads and open spaces
~”a village in the park”
Political Machines
Political parties in major cities under the control of tightly organized groups of politicians
~Each machine had its boss, a top politician who gave orders to the rank and file and doled out government jobs to loyal supporters
Party Boss
A top politician who gave orders to the rank and file and doled out government jobs to loyal supporters
~In charge of political machines
Tammany Hall
Political machine in New York City
~Started out as social clubs and later developed into power centers to coordinate the needs of businesses, immigrants and the under privileged
~In return, they asked for people’s votes on election day
Boss Tweed
Boss of Tammany Hall political machine
~Stole taxpayer money through taking 65% of public building funds
Settlement Houses
Where young, well educated men and women settled to learn firsthand about the immigrant problems
~Provided the immigrants with social services to help relieve the effects of poverty
~Taught English to immigrants, pioneered early childhood education, taught industrial arts, and established neighborhood theaters and music schools
Jane Addams
The most famous settlement house, Hull House in Chicago
~Started it with a college classmate
Social Gospel
Preached by Protestant clergymen who explained the importance of applying Christian principles to social problems
