ushistory

What significant change in urban living occurred by 1920 in America?

For the first time, more Americans lived in urban areas than rural areas.

What were the main causes of urbanization in the late 19th century?

Industrialization, migration, and immigration.

What was the first true skyscraper and where was it built?

The Home Insurance Company Building in Chicago, built in 1885.

What technological advancements made skyscrapers possible?

Steel frames, the Otis elevator, and central steam-heating systems.

What transportation developments contributed to the growth of suburbs?

Streetcars, subways, and bridges.

What were tenements?

Low-cost apartment buildings designed to house as many families as possible, typically dirty and run down.

What health risks were associated with living conditions in urban areas?

Threat of fire, poor ventilation, and diseases such as cholera and tuberculosis.

What was the purpose of the 1901 New York law regarding tenements?

To require hallway bathrooms to replace backyard outhouses.

Who was Jacob Riis and what was his contribution to urban awareness?

A photographer and journalist who documented the living conditions of the poor in New York City.

What was the impact of Jacob Riis's lecture 'How the Other Half Lives'?

It raised awareness about the struggles of the urban poor and influenced social reform.

What are push factors in immigration?

Conditions that force people to leave their home country, such as violence or economic hardship.

What are pull factors in immigration?

Positive aspects of a new country that attract immigrants, such as job opportunities and better living conditions.

What was the significance of the Homestead Act for immigrants?

It provided opportunities for securing free land in America.

What were the typical conditions for immigrants traveling in steerage?

Limited bathroom facilities, no privacy, poor food, but cheap tickets.

How long did it typically take for immigrants to cross the ocean?

Travel time ranged from 1 to 3 weeks.

What was the demographic impact of industrialization on American cities?

A significant influx of immigrants and people leaving farms due to reduced need for manual labor.

What were the effects of urbanization on social class divisions?

Income segregation, with upper/middle classes moving to suburbs to escape urban poverty and crime.

What role did the Bessemer Process play in urban development?

It allowed for the mass production of steel, which was essential for building skyscrapers.

What was the purpose of restrictive covenants in housing?

Agreements among homeowners not to sell real estate to certain groups of people.

What was a significant health issue highlighted by Jacob Riis in his work?

High infant mortality rates, with some districts reporting that 6 out of 10 babies died before their first birthday.

What architectural innovation was designed to improve light and air in tenements?

The dumbbell tenement, which included air shafts to bring light and air into rooms.

What did the term 'ghettos' refer to in urban settings?

Areas dominated by a single ethnic or racial group, often due to segregation.

What was the significance of the Brooklyn Bridge in urban development?

It facilitated transportation and contributed to the expansion of urban areas.

What was the primary reason for the population shift from rural to urban areas in the late 19th century?

The decline of agricultural jobs due to mechanization and natural disasters.

What percentage of immigrants arrived in the U.S. through New York?

70%

What was Castle Garden?

The initial reception center for immigrants in New York before being replaced by Ellis Island.

When did Ellis Island open as an immigration station?

1892

What iconic symbol opened in 1886 and represented hope for immigrants?

The Statue of Liberty, also known as 'Liberty Enlightening the World.'

What was required of all new immigrants starting in 1892?

They had to undergo a physical exam.

What could happen to immigrants found with contagious diseases at Ellis Island?

They could face quarantine or deportation.

What was the average time an immigrant spent at Ellis Island?

Two to three hours.

What were inspectors at Ellis Island looking for?

Evidence of 'loathsome or dangerous contagious diseases' and general admissibility.

What was the significance of the 'kissing post' at Ellis Island?

It was a place where immigrants reunited with family and friends upon arrival.

How many immigrants arrived in America between 1885 and 1920?

Approximately 21 million.

Which groups primarily settled in Boston during the 19th and early 20th centuries?

Immigrants from Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe.

What were urban neighborhoods often referred to as for immigrant communities?

Ghettos.

What was the main immigration facility on the West Coast from 1910 to 1940?

Angel Island Immigration Station.

What was the Chinese Exclusion Act?

An immigration law passed in 1882 that prevented Chinese laborers from immigrating to the U.S. and excluded them from citizenship.

What was the Gentleman's Agreement?

An informal agreement where Japan promised to stop immigration to the U.S. in exchange for no new laws against Japanese already in the U.S.

What did the Webb Alien Law (1913) prevent?

Noncitizen Asians from owning land.

What major incentive attracted Chinese immigrants to the U.S. during the Gold Rush?

The need for laborers to build the Transcontinental Railroad.

How many Chinese laborers were estimated to have worked on the Transcontinental Railroad?

About 250,000.

What were the working conditions like for Chinese railroad laborers?

They faced poor conditions, discrimination, and were often paid less than their European counterparts.

What was the impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act on Chinese immigrants?

It was the first immigration law to exclude an entire ethnic group and severely limited their legal entry and citizenship.

What role did the U.S. Public Health Service play in the immigration process at Ellis Island?

They conducted health examinations to determine the physical and mental condition of immigrants.

What were some common reasons for denying immigrants entry into the United States?

Contagious diseases, lack of admissibility, or failure to meet health standards.

What societal norms influenced who was admitted or denied entry to the U.S. at the turn of the 20th century?

Prejudices against certain ethnic groups and fears of disease.

How does present-day immigration compare to the Ellis Island era?

Present-day immigration involves different laws, processes, and societal attitudes compared to the Ellis Island era.