America Enters the 20th Century Flashcards
How did the US population change near the start of the 20th Century?
- The overall population increased significantly.
- Many new immigrants began arriving in America.
- More people moved in large, urban communities for work in factories,
How did changes in population impact American cities?
Urban centers grew at a faster rate than rural communities, with urban residents outnumbering rural residents by the early 20th century.
How were immigration patterns during the late 19th century different from earlier decades or today?
- Earlier Decades: Mostly Northern and Western European; Ex. Ireland, Germany, Great Britain.
- Late 19th Century: mostly Southern and Eastern European; Ex. Italy, Poland, Russia)
- Today: Mostly South and Central America and Asia;
What factors caused the significant increase in immigration that occurred during the late 19th century?
Push and Pull Factors.
What are “pull” factors of immigration?
- Qualities or opportunities that attract someone to a new place.
- Ex: religious freedom, political freedom, peace, economic or job opportunities.
What are “push” factors of immigration?
- Conditions within an individual’s home country, that prompt someone to leave.
- Ex: Religious persecution, political repression, war, starvation, limited economic opportunities.
What was Ellis Island?
- Immigration processing station located in New York City, where many European immigrants entered the US during the late 19th and early 20th century.
- 98% of immigrants that arrived at Ellis Island were welcomed and admitted to the US.
What was Angel Island?
- Immigration processing station located in San Francisco, where many Asian immigrants entered the US during the late 19th and early 20th century.
- Far fewer Asian immigrants were admitted at Angel Island compared with Ellis Island- due to anti-Asian attitudes.
How did increased immigration impact the American culture near the turn of 20th century?
- The United States was considered a “melting pot” of diverse cultures, languages, foods, religions, and traditions, all shaping what it meant to be American
- However, many immigrants settled in cultural neighborhoods by choice (ex. German Village) or by law (ex. Chinatown).
What is nativism?
Belief held by individuals who had resided in the US that “native-born” Americans were superior to new immigrants.
How did nativist beliefs impact some new immigrants near the turn of the 20th century?
- Many immigrants struggled to find work or housing because of their immigrant background.
- Racial violence and segregation laws targeted some new immigrants.
- Some immigrant groups saw their immigration to the US more restricted compared with groups from other countries.
Which group of immigrants faced the most severe nativism near the turn of the 20th century?
Asian immigrants; especially the Chinese.
What was the Chinese Exclusion Act?
- Federal government policy adopted near the turn of the century that limited Chinese immigration to the US and the ability of Chinese Americans already residing in America to gain citizenship.
- Example of nativism.
How did the poor conditions of Gilded Age cities impact urban residents during the late 19th century?
- High levels of poverty.
- Increased crime and fire risks.
- Unsanitary conditions and spread of disease.
- Unsafe water supply.
- Transportation challenges.
What was the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire?
- One of the most deadly workplace disasters in US history.
- After a fire was accidentally started in a NYC business, it spread quickly due to the large amounts of fabric in the business.
- Many workers were unable to escape because the business owners locked the doors to prevent workers from taking breaks.
- Nearly 150 workers died in the fire, mostly poor immigrant women, leading to the adoption of new regulations for fire safety in public and private buildings.
What was the Great Chicago Fire?
- Destructive disaster that impacted Chicago during the late 19th century, killing hundreds and leaving thousands homeless.
- Although it was unclear what started the fire, it spread quickly due to drought, damaged fire equipment, lack of firefighters, and the large number of wooden buildings built close together.
- Afterward the city was rebuilt with fire resistant materials, including steel which was used to construct skyscrapers in the city.
What was the Johnstown Flood?
- Deadliest manmade disaster in American history before 9/11.
- Occurred in a small city near Pittsburgh shortly after Henry Clay Frick requested changes to a nearby dam- that weakened the structure.
- Shortly after a storm hit the area causing the dam to burst– flattening the nearby community- killing many residents.
How effective were Gilded Age politicians at responding to the needs of the American public near the turn of the 20th century?
Local, state, and federal officials struggled to respond to the needs of the public. Due to:
* Political corruption
* Arguments about the Civil War
* Political division between Congress and the White House.
Why did political machinese develop near the turn of the 20th century?
- Rapid urban growth (largely due to immigration) caused many residents to live and work in horrible conditions- that the government wasn’t solving.
- Political machinese were groups that responded to these issues, building schools, parks, and other improvements.
Who was William “Boss” Tweed?
- Well-known political machine leader, or boss, that led the most powerful political machine in NYC, Tammany Hall.
- Tweed was an excellent example of the political corruption and greed that plagued political machines after he was busted for embezzling $13 million from NYC– and was sent to prison.
What challenges continued to face Black Americans near the turn of the 20th century?
- Jim Crow Laws
- Segregation
- Voter disenfranchisement
- Racial etiquette rules.
- Racial violence and lynching.
What is segregation?
When separate facilities are created for different groups of people; such as those adopted under the Jim Crow Laws.
What is lynching?
- An act of racial violence that was common during the late 20th century;
- Thousands of Black men and women were shot, burned, and hanged after northern troops were removed from the South after Reconstruction ended.
