U.S. History 1 - Immigration, Nativism, Urbanization, Politics in the Gilded Age, and Patronage & Tariff Politics

Ellis Island

An immigration center located on the East Coast, specifically the New York Harbor. From 1892 to 1924, about 17 million immigrants entered.

If someone were to immigrate through Ellis Island, and had a physical exam made on them, what would happen to those who had serious health problems, specifically tuberculosis, or a contagious disease?

They were sent home.

What were the legal requirement to pass through Ellis Island?

They never convicted a felony, they demonstrate an ability to work, and they can proof they have some money.

Angel Island

An immigration center located on the West Coast, specifically the San Francisco Bay. From 1910 to 1940, around 50,000 Chinese immigrants entered. There was harsh conditioning and long detention in filthy conditions.

Why did immigrants flee to America?

Famine, land shortages, religious & political persecution, and birds of passage.

Why was getting to the United States a difficult journey?

Crossing the Atlantic took about a week, crossing the Pacific took about 3 weeks, ships were crowded & dark, there were insect-infested bunks, and disease spread quickly.

What were immigrants expected to do in a foreign land with a language and culture they were unfamiliar with?

They were to find a job, find a place to live, and engage in daily activities.

What did immigrants do when they found other people with similar backgrounds to themselves?

They created ethnic communities and built social clubs and churches.

Hyphenated Americans

Americans who identify not only with being American citizens but also with being members of ethnic groups.

United States Citizenship Test

A test immigrants had to take to become a citizen. You had to get 6/10 questions right to pass.

Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

State's Rights which included slavery, taxes, and economics.

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

The Constitution was made.

When must all men register for the Selective Service?

18 years old

What are the rights of everyone living in the United States?

Freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government, freedom of worship, and the right to bear arms.

What are the Cabinet-level positions?

Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Education, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Health & Human Services, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary of Interior, Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of Veterans' Affairs, Secretary of Labor, and Attorney General.

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

The President.

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

The Senate and the House of Representatives.

What are the ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

They can vote, join a political party, help with a campaign, join a civic group, join a community group, give an elected official your opinion on an issue, call Senators & Representatives, publicly support or oppose an issue or policy, run for office, or write to a newspaper.

What do we call the first ten amendments of the Constitution?

The Bill of Rights.

What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution.

Melting Pot

A mixture of people of different culture and races blending together by abandoning native languages and costumes.

Nativism

Overt favoritism toward native-born Americans.

What does W.A.S.P. stand for?

White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant.

What are the characteristics of W.A.S.P.?

The belief was that Anglo-Saxon whites were the superior ethnic group, there were "right" vs. "wrong" countries, it was violent & discriminatory, to distrust immigrants, and to be suspicious of foreign customs by undermining democratic institutions.

Chinese Exclusion Act

An act that banned entry to all Chinese except students, teachers, merchants, tourists, and government officials.

Gentlemen's Agreement

An agreement in which Japan limited emigration of unskilled workers. San Francisco repeals segregation order.

Communist/Socialist

People who wanted to change the American government through a revolution.

Nihilist

The belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement.

Fenian

American men in a secret society who wanted to fight for freedom in Ireland.

Hoodlum

A gangster; a thug. A tough, often aggressive or violent youth.

Sobriety

Lacking consumption on alcohol, liquor, or the use drugs.

Why did native-born Americans start the Americanization Movement?

To encourage newcomers to assimilate to the dominant culture.

Explain what caused farmers to move to cities.

New farming technology was less labor for farmers.

How did racial tension and job competition relate to one another?

People tried to support themselves, leading to a competition and discrimination.

What housing problems did the urban working-class families face?

Transportation difficulties, overcrowding, and unsanitary conditions.

How did conditions in cities affect people's health?

It lacked clean water and inadequate conditions, which spread disease.

Why did immigrants tend to group together in cities?

They supported each other through religion, culture, or language.

How would America have been different if immigrants did not group together in cities?

It would be more diverse, and the Americanization Movement may have been more successful.

How does the Gospel Movement, the 400 settlement houses, and Jane Addams relate to the efforts to solve the problems of urbanization?

Part of the reforms was to help immigrants and improve America.

Political Machine

An organized group that controlled the activities of a political party in a city. It is a group that is usually dominated by a political party that dictates the city. At the "controls" of the "machine" is the boss, who may or may not be an elected official. It also offered serves to voters and businesses in exchange for political or financial support.

City Bosses

Controls the activities of the political party throughout the city.

Ward Bosses

At election time, they work to secure the vote in all the precincts in the ward, or electoral district. They also helped the poor and gained their votes by doing favors or providing services.

Local Precinct Workers & Captains

They try to gain voters' support on a city block or in a neighborhood and reports to a ward boss.

What are the roles of the Political Boss?

They control access to municipal jobs and licenses. They influence the courts and other municipal agents and use their power to build parks, sewer systems, and waterworks. They also give money to schools, hospitals, and orphanages. Additionally, they provide government support for new businesses that were often paid extremely well. Finally, they can reinforce voters' loyalty, win additional political support, and extend their influence among the motivations for city bosses.

A municipal job is...

A country clerk, a mailman, and public works.

A municipal job is not..

A business owner, nurses, a college professor, a banker, or a cashier.

What generation were most precinct captains and political bosses?

First or second.

Few precinct captains and political bosses were educated beyond what school kind of school?

Grammar.

What could precinct captains and political bosses do to help immigrants?

Speak in their language and understand the challenges that newcomers faced. They were able to provide solutions. They also helped them with naturalization, housing, and jobs, which were among the newcomers' most pressing needs.

Naturalization

Attaining full citizenship.

What would immigrants do in return when precinct captains and political bosses helped them?

They would vote for them.

What would some political machines do if loyalty was not enough to carry the election?

Turn to fraud.

What could political machines take advantage of once its candidates are in office?

Numerous opportunities for graft.

Graft

The illegal use of political influence for personal gain.

Kickbacks

Illegal payments for their services.

William M. Tweed

Also known as "Boos Tweed," they became head of Tammany Hall, New York's most powerful Democratic political machine in 1868. He worked his way up through Tammany Hall. In 1861, he had scarcely a dollar to his name, but y 1871, he had amassed a fortune in excess of $2.5 million. It was all built on influence peddling and kickbacks from the sale of city contracts and franchises.

The Tweed Ring

A group of corrupt politicians, who collectively siphoned off anywhere from $40 million to $200 million in public funds, led by Tweed.

What happened after the Tweed Ring scandal?

Tweed was convicted of fraud in 1873, but he fled to Spain. During his heyday, he had been ruthlessly caricatured by the great political cartoonist Thomas Nast. Tweed also was indicted on 120 counts of fraud and extortion. In 1876, Tweed was recognized through a Nast cartoon. As a result, Tweed was arrested and returned to New York, where he died after serving two years in prison.

Extortion

The illegal use of one's official position to obtain property or funds.

Rutherford B. Hayes

The president elected in 1876. He wanted to end patronage and have nonbiased people in the cabinet & fire leaders from custom house. Congress did not support this patronage however, and he didn't end up running for reelection.

James A. Garfield

The president elected in 1880. He won by running Arthur as vice president. Reformers supported him, and Stalwarts supported Arthur. Additionally, he gave jobs only to reformers once in office.

The Assassination of James A. Garfield

This happened in 1881. After this, Chest A. Aruthur became President. His point of view changed, and he now supported Reformers. He also passed the Pendleton Civil Service Act.

Pendleton Civil Service Act

An act passed in 1883. It states that politicians cannot rely on bribing citizens for support, and for them to instead turn to large businesses for campaign support and donations.

Grover Cleveland (1st Election)

The president elected in 1884. He strived to lower tariffs but failed due to a lack of support from Congress.

Benjamin Harrison

The president elected in 1888. He had a campaign that was supported by big businesses and passed the McKinley Tariff Act.

Grover Cleveland (2nd Election)

The president that was reelected in 1892. He was in office during the Depression of 1893. He continued the use of the gold standard. Congress also forced the Wilson-Gorman Tariff, which slightly lowered tariffs but created federal income tax.

Different Cultures --> ________________________________________ --> ________________________________ --> ________________________________________________________________________________________

Competition for Jobs

Rise in Nativism

Chinese Exclusion Act & Gentleman's Agreement

Urbanization --> _____________________________________________________________________ --> Solutions

Solutions --> ________________________________________

Solutions --> __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Overcrowded & Unsanitary Conditions

Social Reform Groups

Mass Transit, Fire & Police, Water Works, and Sanitation Jobs

Political Impact --> ____________________________________ --> ______________________________________________________ --> Graft

Political Impact --> __________________ --> ______________________________________ --> Big Business & Tariffs

Political Machines

Helped Immigrants for Votes

Patronage

Civil Service Reform