American History: Immigration and Urbanization

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.

Social Movements

• 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.

Religious and Social Reform

• 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.