Social Developments: Reasons for Immigration to the USA Flashcards
How much did the overall population of the USA go up from 1860-90?
It doubled
What was one large factor for the population increase in the second half of the 1800s in the USA?
Immigration
Why did so many people want to Immigrate to America?
Because it was a prosperous nation where people believed they would not be persecuted
Why did many people come to America from Europe?
There was Religious Discontent and Industrial Stagnation
Why did many Jew’s from Russia come to America?
Because they were facing persecution in Russia
Why did many Irish people come to America?
As there was a large famine in Ireland
Where did most Immigrants want to settle? Give named examples
Big cities like Chicago or New York
What was the population of Chicago in 1860?
109,000
What was the population of Chicago in 1890?
1.1 million
What was one specific but large reason for many Immigrants moving to large cities?
Street width
Why did Immigrants care about Street Width?
Because there needed to be space for people to live and walk and for new infrastructure
What was the average Street Width in Boston?
30 feet wide
Why did New York get more Immigrant Settlers than Boston in relation to Street Width?
Average New York Street Width was 130 feet
Why was the street width of New York so wide in terms of due to the people in power in New York?
As many leading politicians won their campaigns based on immigrant votes, they took actions in New York on what the Immigrants wanted the most
What were these political organisations called that made Immigrants their main priority in winning elections and to help them?
Political Party Machines
