History Chapter 15 Flashcards

Immigration in the U.S.

• Old immigrants were typically wealthy, educated, and skilled, primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe.
• New immigrants were often poor and unskilled, coming mainly from Northern and Western Europe.
• Ellis Island served as the primary checkpoint for European immigrants entering the United States.
• Immigrants favored urban areas over rural settings, forming ethnic neighborhoods that preserved their cultures.
• Economic hardships in China, including unemployment and famine, prompted many Chinese to immigrate to the U.S., particularly during the California Gold Rush.
• Angel Island was the main entry point for Asian immigrants to the United States.

Nativism and Immigration Laws

• Nativists displayed an intense dislike for immigrants, advocating for restrictions on immigration.
• U.S. immigration laws targeted specific groups, excluding convicts, paupers, and the mentally disabled.
• Chinese immigrants were significantly impacted by restrictive immigration laws such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, despite the growing Chinese population in the U.S. during the late 1800s.

Urbanization and Worker Demographics

• The threshold for classifying an area as a city in the late 1800s was undefined but marked urban growth.
• Most immigrants entering factories were unskilled workers, despite facing harsh conditions.
• Even with tough living conditions, many immigrants experienced an improved standard of living compared to their homelands.

Economic Factors and City Growth

• Farmers migrated to urban centers seeking better job opportunities due to limited prospects in rural areas.
• Rising land prices presented challenges to city growth and housing availability.

Urban Infrastructure and Living Conditions

• The first skyscraper, The Home Insurance Building, was located in Chicago, symbolizing urban architectural advancements.
• High society often resided in downtown areas, while middle-class families preferred suburban living.
• Tenement housing was characterized as dark, crowded multi-family apartments.

Urban Issues in the Late 1800s

• Major urban problems included crime, violence, fire hazards, disease, and pollution.

Political Dynamics

• Political machines functioned as informal groups designed to maintain power, often providing jobs, housing, and social services in exchange for political loyalty.
• However, these machines frequently engaged in corruption and fraud, enriching their leaders.
• William M. "Boss" Tweed was a notorious leader of one such political machine.
• The Democratic Party was primarily associated with these political operations.

Social Commentary and Reform

• Thomas Nast, a prominent cartoonist, exposed the corruption of political machines through political cartoons.
• The Gilded Age was marked by rapid industrial growth and remarkable inventions, overshadowed by corruption and stark wealth disparities.

Ideological Movements

• Individualism posits that anyone, regardless of background, can rise in society through talent and dedication.
• Social Darwinism, led by Herbert Spencer, emphasized that society improves through the survival of the fittest, reinforcing individualism.
• The Gospel of Wealth advocated for the wealthy to participate in philanthropy for societal betterment.
• Realism as a literary movement aimed to portray life accurately, often focusing on everyday struggles and societal issues.

Test your knowledge on immigration waves in the U.S. with these flashcards covering Old and New immigrants, as well as the significant landmark of Ellis Island. Perfect for students looking to master Chapter 15 concepts in history class.