Immigration, Urbanization, and Labor Unions in America

12-hour shifts

Work hours required for factory operation daily.

New wave of immigrants

Arrivals from Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe.

Urban population growth

Significant increase began in mid 19th century.

Early textile mills

Factories built near water for transportation and power.

Steam engine invention

Allowed factories to move closer to cities.

Urban job conditions

Low pay and dangerous environments for workers.

Industrial city identifiers

Cities known for specific industries, e.g., Pittsburgh for steel.

Urban challenges

Overcrowding, poor housing, and transportation issues.

Key innovations

Electric lighting, communication, public transport, skyscrapers.

Thomas Edison

Patented the lightbulb in 1879, revolutionizing lighting.

AC system

Nikola Tesla's invention for long-distance electricity supply.

Electric trolley

1887 invention for efficient urban transportation.

L-Trains

Elevated train lines built in crowded cities.

First skyscraper

Home Insurance Building, completed in 1885.

James Otis

Invented the first electric elevator for skyscrapers.

Tenement houses

Crowded living spaces with poor conditions for workers.

Jacob Riis

Photographed tenements, highlighting urban poverty.

Social gospel

Philosophy urging Christians to improve societal conditions.

Settlement house movement

Provided aid and services to urban working-class women.

Great Migration

African Americans moved North for better opportunities.

Ku Klux Klan

Group that instigated violence against African Americans.

Urban living costs

High rent and food prices faced by migrants.

Crowded conditions

Poor living situations for both immigrants and African Americans.

Racial divisions

Social issues contributing to urban challenges.

Public transportation

Essential service for urban mobility and accessibility.

Electric power plants

First commercial plants opened in 1882 for cities.

Telephone invention

Patented in 1876, revolutionized communication methods.

Sewage pumping systems

Implemented in late 1880s to manage urban waste.

Community support

Churches and groups aiding working-class struggles.

Racial Discrimination

Prejudice against African Americans in housing and jobs.

Redlining

Denial of home loans to African Americans by banks.

Housing Shortages

Insufficient housing for African Americans due to discrimination.

Tenements

Overcrowded urban apartments often inhabited by immigrants.

Ellis Island

Entry point for immigrants arriving in America.

Machine Politics

Political system exchanging favors for votes.

Alderman

Local politician facilitating quick solutions in communities.

Kickback

Payment made to a boss for political favors.

Vaudeville

Variety show featuring singing, dancing, and comedy.

Coney Island

Famous amusement park destination in New York.

Professional Baseball

Organized sports teams, starting with Cincinnati Reds.

Suburbs

Residential areas outside cities for middle-class families.

Immigrant Communities

Cultural enclaves like Little Italy and Chinatown.

Push Factors

Reasons driving immigrants to leave their home countries.

Pull Factors

Attractions drawing immigrants to the United States.

Infectious Diseases Inspection

Health checks for immigrants upon arrival in America.

Middle Class Opportunities

Increased prospects for middle-class citizens in urban areas.

Women's Education

Middle-class women pursuing college education.

Urban Challenges

Difficulties faced by residents in city environments.

Co-education

A system of education where both men and women are taught together.

Bessemer Process

A process which allowed for mass production of strong cheap steel.

Transatlantic Cable

The first cable invented in 1858 that helped pass messages from the US to Europe.

Telephone

Patented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876; he was the first to capitalize it.

Menlo Park

A rotating group of 25 scientists from around the globe run by Thomas Alva Edison.

Edison Electric Illuminating Company

Founded in 1882 with the help of JP Morgan to finance electric lighting.

Air Brake

Invented by George Westinghouse to help stop trains efficiently.

Transcontinental Railroad

Allowed for settlement in the west and opened new markets for eastern manufacturers.

Union Pacific

A railroad company that consisted of Irish and Chinese immigrants starting in Omaha, Nebraska.

Central Pacific

A railroad company that consisted of Chinese immigrants starting in Sacramento, California.

Promontory Summit

The location where the Union Pacific and Central Pacific met on May 10, 1869.

Steel Magnate

Andrew Carnegie, known for his significant role in the steel industry.

Oil Tycoon

John D. Rockefeller, recognized as America's first billionaire.

Social Darwinism

The belief that the most successful and rich should succeed while the poor should fail.

Robber Baron

Wealthy individuals who gained money through ruthless business practices.

Captain of Industry

Wealthy individuals who gained money through hard work and innovation.

National Labor Union (NLU)

A group formed in 1866 advocating for an 8-hour workday and equal rights.

Knights of Labor (KOL)

An influential labor organization that aimed for reforms such as an 8-hour workday.

Chicago Haymarket Affair

A protest in 1886 that turned violent and negatively impacted labor unions' public image.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

A labor union formed to represent skilled workers and focus on better wages and conditions.

Homestead Steel Strike

A violent strike in 1892 that negatively impacted public perception of unions.

Pullman Strike

A nationwide railroad strike in 1894 that ended with federal intervention.

Collective Bargaining

Negotiation between an employer and labor union on wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Strike

A work stoppage by workers to compel employers to meet their demands.

Lockout

A business management tactic where employees are refused entry to the workplace.

Scab

A person who replaces workers during a strike, also known as a strikebreaker.

Injunction

A legal action that prohibits a certain action, often used against striking workers.

Labor Union

An organization formed to advocate for the interests of workers with similar goals.

Laissez-Faire

An economic principle where businesses operate with minimal government intervention.

Patent

A legal protection for an invention or idea to prevent it from being stolen.

Innovation

Improvements made to existing products or processes.

Assembly Line

A manufacturing process that increases productivity and requires no specialized skills.

Robber Barons vs. Captains of Industry

Terms used to describe wealthy individuals based on their business practices.

Child Labor

The employment of children in factories, which increased significantly from 1870-1890.

Progressive Reformers

Social activists focused on improving working conditions for women and children.

Great Railroad Strike

A major strike in 1877 that began due to a pay cut and spread across the country.

Boycott

A strategy where a community refuses to buy a product to pressure a company.

Yellow-Dog Contract

An agreement workers were forced to sign to not join a union.

Iron Clad Oath

A pledge workers signed to avoid union participation.

Labor Unrest

Conflict between workers and employers, often leading to strikes.

Immigration Statistics

56% of all immigrants came from worldwide to America, with 75% entering through Ellis Island.

Angel Island

An immigration station on the West Coast where 175,000 immigrants passed through.

American Nativism

The fear and resistance of native-born Americans towards new immigrants.