APUSH Unit 6 Chapter 18 Vocabulary

Old Immigrants

• Refers to immigrants from Northern and Western Europe, such as the Irish, Germans, and British, who came to America before the 1880s. They often sought better economic opportunities and escape from political unrest.

New Immigrants

• Immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, including Italians, Jews, Slavs, and Greeks, arriving from the 1880s to the early 1900s. Many of these immigrants faced severe discrimination and were often viewed as undesirable by the established American population.

Chinese Exclusion Act

• Enacted in 1882, this was the first significant law restricting immigration into the United States, aimed specifically at Chinese laborers, which reflected the growing anti-Chinese sentiment in America, particularly on the West Coast.

Ellis Island

• Opened in 1892, it became the primary immigration station for millions of immigrants arriving in New York City. Between 1892 and 1954, about 12 million immigrants passed through its doors, undergoing inspections and processing before being allowed into the country.

Urbanization

• The process whereby cities grew larger and more populous, largely driven by the influx of immigrants seeking jobs in industries during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This led to significant social changes and challenges, including overcrowding and infrastructure strain.

Ethnic Neighborhoods

• Areas within cities where immigrant groups settled together, preserving their cultural identities and social networks. Examples include Little Italy and Chinatown, where residents spoke their native languages and maintained traditions.

Tenements

• Overcrowded, often substandard apartment buildings that housed many of the urban poor, particularly immigrants. These structures typically lacked adequate sanitation, ventilation, and safety standards, contributing to health problems among residents.

Suburbs

• Residential areas located on the outskirts of cities that became increasingly popular during the early 20th century, particularly after World War II, as families sought better living conditions and more space.

Political Machines

• Corrupt political organizations that controlled local politics, often using patronage and electoral fraud to maintain power. The most famous example was Tammany Hall in New York City, which wielded significant influence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Party Boss

• The leader or influential figure within a political machine who controlled party nominations and the distributing of jobs and contracts in exchange for loyalty and votes, exemplified by figures such as Boss Tweed.

Progress and Poverty

• A book by Henry George, published in 1879, that discussed the causes of economic inequality and proposed a single tax on land value to rectify social injustices, influencing many reform movements.

Looking Backward

• A novel by Edward Bellamy, published in 1888, envisioning a utopian future where social inequalities are eliminated through collective ownership and cooperation, inspiring a wave of socialist thinking in America.

Settlement House

• Community centers established in urban areas to provide social services, education, and aid to immigrants and the poor, with Hull House in Chicago, founded by Jane Addams, being one of the most notable examples.

Jane Addams

• A pioneering social reformer, she co-founded the Hull House in Chicago and was a leader in the settlement house movement, advocating for women's suffrage, labor rights, and social welfare reforms.

Social Gospel Movement

• A religious movement during the late 19th and early 20th centuries that emphasized social justice and the responsibility of Christians to address societal issues, advocating for reforms in labor, education, and healthcare.

W. E. B. Du Bois

• An African American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist who co-founded the NAACP and championed the cause of civil rights and education for African Americans, emphasizing the importance of political representation and cultural pride.

Mark Twain

• An American author and humorist known for his works such as 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,' which critiqued society and offered insight into American life during the 19th century.

Ashcan School

• An art movement in the early 20th century that focused on depicting everyday life and urban scenes, often highlighting the struggles of the working class in a realistic style.

Frank Lloyd Wright

• An influential American architect known for designing innovative structures that harmonized with their environments, including the famous 'Fallingwater' and his work with the Prairie School style.

Jazz

• A musical genre that originated in the African American communities of New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by swing rhythms and improvisation, becoming a key component of American cultural identity.

Ragtime

• A musical style popular in the early 20th century, known for its syncopated rhythms and vibrant melodies, often played on the piano, associated with composers like Scott Joplin.

William Randolph Hearst

• An influential American newspaper publisher whose practices in sensational journalism and yellow journalism shaped the media landscape in the early 20th century and played a role in shaping public opinion.

Melting Pot

• A metaphor for the blending of various cultures and ethnicities in America, symbolizing the idea that immigrants assimilate into American society while contributing their unique cultural identities.