American History: Immigration and Urbanization

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Questions and Answers

What was the purpose of the Columbian Exposition held in 1893?

To display the progress of American civilization (correct)

To celebrate the end of the Civil War

To promote agricultural advancements

To showcase military technology

Who were considered 'old' immigrants?

The majority arrived before 1880 from Western Europe and the British Isles.

What characterizes 'new' immigrants?

They arrived after 1890 from southern and eastern Europe, often poor and illiterate.

When was the Statue of Liberty opened?

1886 Signup and view all the answers

What did the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 entail?

It placed a ban on all new immigrants from China. Signup and view all the answers

What was Ellis Island?

An immigration center opened in 1892 in New York Harbor. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the contract labor law created in 1885?

To protect American workers. Signup and view all the answers

What organization supported immigration restrictions and was prejudiced against Roman Catholics?

American Protective Association Signup and view all the answers

What is urbanization?

The process by which America's population density reversed by 1920. Signup and view all the answers

What are streetcar cities?

Cities that allowed people to live miles from their jobs and commute. Signup and view all the answers

What does mass transportation encompass?

Electric trolleys, elevated railroads, subways, and suspension bridges. Signup and view all the answers

What were tenements?

Buildings divided into small quarters to maximize profit. Signup and view all the answers

Who designed the Hull House in 1889?

Jane Adams Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of the Social Gospel movement?

Applying Christian principles to social problems. Signup and view all the answers

Who founded the Salvation Army in the United States?

This charity was imported from England in 1879. Signup and view all the answers

What did the National American Woman Suffrage Association aim to achieve?

To secure the vote for women. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Armory Show of 1913?

It was the first exhibition of abstract art. Signup and view all the answers

What is cultural diversity?

The preservation of distinct immigrant cultures integrated into American society. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term melting pot?

The assimilation of other cultures into the American amalgamate. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Columbian Exposition

Took place in 1893 in Chicago.
Aimed to showcase American civilization, innovations, and industrial advancements.

Immigration Waves

"Old" immigrants: Predominantly from Western Europe, arriving before 1880; marked by high literacy and occupational skills.
"New" immigrants: Emerged post-1890 from Southern and Eastern Europe, often impoverished and unfamiliar with democratic values.

Key Immigration Symbols

Statue of Liberty: Inaugurated in 1886, designed by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, symbolizing freedom and welcoming new arrivals.
Ellis Island: Opened in 1892 as a primary immigration processing center in New York Harbor.

Immigration Legislation

Chinese Exclusion Act (1882): First significant immigration restriction aimed at prohibiting new arrivals from China.
Contract Labor Law (1885): Enacted to safeguard American workers from competition arising from immigrant labor.

Urban Development

Urbanization: By 1920, the U.S. experienced a population density shift, leading to rapid city growth.
Streetcar cities: Emerged as urban neighborhoods where public transportation allowed residency far from workplaces.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Mass transportation systems included electric trolleys, elevated railroads, and subways, creating socioeconomic segregation.
Skyscrapers: First constructed with steel skeletons and elevators, revolutionizing city landscapes.

Immigrant Living Conditions

Ethnic neighborhoods: Provided cultural cohesion for immigrants but often characterized by slum conditions.
Tenements: Overcrowded housing units managed by landlords to maximize profits.

Suburbanization

Suburbs emerged as affluent residents relocated from cities, characterized by cleaner environments.
Frederic Law Olmsted: Renowned landscape architect who designed ideal suburban communities.

Political Landscape

Political machines: Organized groups dominating urban political structures.
Party bosses: Led political machines, wielding considerable influence over city governance.

Henry George: Author of "Progress and Poverty," criticizing wealth disparity in laissez-faire capitalism.
Settlement houses: Established by middle-class reformers to address the needs of immigrant families, exemplified by Hull House created by Jane Adams.

Social Gospel movement: Advocated applying Christian ethics to societal issues stemming from industrialization.
Walter Rauschenbusch: Key figure in the movement, promoting social justice from a religious perspective.

Women’s Suffrage and Temperance

National American Woman Suffrage Association: Founded by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to advocate for women's voting rights.
Women's Christian Temperance Union: Founded in 1874, calling for alcohol abstinence and led by Frances E. Willard.

Anti-Vice Movements

Anthony Comstock: Formed the Society for the Suppression of Vice; advocated against pornography and vice.

Educational Advancements

Johns Hopkins University: Established in 1876, recognized for its focus on graduate studies and research.
Charles W. Eliot: Harvard president who promoted a flexible curriculum with more elective courses.

Sociology and Law

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.: Advocated for a dynamic interpretation of law adapting to social changes.
W.E.B. Du Bois: Prominent African American intellectual, advocating for civil rights and higher education for blacks.

Literature and the Arts

Significant authors included Mark Twain, Stephen Crane, and Jack London, known for realistic portrayals of American life.
The Ashcan School: A group of artists focused on depicting urban realities and social issues.

Music and Entertainment

Jazz: A musical genre blending African rhythms with Western styles, characterized by improvisation.
Scott Joplin: Notable for ragtime music, with "Maple Leaf Rag" being a major hit.

Journalism Evolution

Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst: Newspaper moguls who transformed journalism through sensationalism and large-scale circulation.

Sports and Public Shows

Spectator sports grew in popularity among both the working and middle classes, along with amateur sports programs.
P.T. Barnum and Buffalo Bill popularized large-scale entertainment spectacles, captivating American audiences.

Cultural Dynamics

Melting pot concept: Reflects the integration and assimilation of diverse cultures within American society.
Cultural diversity emphasizes maintaining distinct immigrant traditions amidst the broader American culture.

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Description

Explore the impact of immigration waves and urban development in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This quiz covers significant events such as the Columbian Exposition, key immigration symbols, and pivotal legislation that shaped American society. Test your knowledge on the transformations brought about by these historical shifts.