Immigration
Many people came from many different place all around the world. Each of them had a different reason for seeking a better life. One of the main reasons was the fact that the United States had become known as the land of economic opportunity. Many were also looking to escape religious and political persecution. Some were adventurous and wanted to explore and gain more personal freedom.
After the long journey to the harbors, first class and second class got inspected first. If they failed the health or legal inspection, then they would be sent to Ellis Island. But the lower class was put through much more trouble when arriving. These passengers would have to wait hours upon hours to even enter Ellis Island. While waiting, it was typically crowded, sweaty, and there was a lack of nutrients and necessary needs. After waiting, the first test was the "six second physical." The doctor would look for obvious signs of health problems such as shortness of breath, limping, or red eyes. If you didn't pass the health inspection, a letter would be placed on you. Each letter or symbol meant something different, and you would then be held back for further inspection.
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After the health inspection, now it was time for the legal inspection. While on the ship, the passengers had to answer questions and there was also a manifest of everyone on the ship. There were typically around 29 questions asked to each immigrant. Some of these questions included age, sex, occupation, and whether they were able to read and write. If you failed the health or legal inspection, they held you on Ellis Island. Before they could get a hearing, they would have to wait from a few days up until a whole month.
If you were successful in inspection, you could go to the custom and get your money exchanged for US currency. To start off, any immigrant would need money. The usual amount started with was $20. Immigrants met up with their friends, family and loved ones filled with joy that the process of Ellis Island was now over and they could begin the life they always dreamed of.
http://www.history.com/topics/ellis-island/videos
Most immigrants came from eastern and southern Europe. After traveling many miles by train, horseback, or foot, the immigrants were able to board a ship. The journey typically lasted a few weeks. First and second class had a greatly easier trip than the lower class, also known as "steerage." The higher classes stayed in cabins, where as steerage just stayed an open room down near the bottom of the ship. The journey while in steerage was horrid. The bottom of the ship was subject to the most violent motion. There was little to no ventilation, and the stench filled the air. The smell was due to many different factors; vomit from getting seasick, odors from passengers not washing themselves for weeks, toilet rooms not having been cleaned, and the overall amount of people crowding the ship. If you were in the lower class, going up to the top deck for fresh air was the best time for you to try to breathe away the stench. At the end of the ship's journey, the immigrants were long awaiting the end so they could start their new life.
Urbanization
Urbanization was when populations moved from rural areas such as country side to urban life such as cities.
Some of the main causes of Urbanization were new inventions and new technologies created by the Industrial Revolution. Increased immigration levels were also a massive cause of overpopulation in the cities. The use of steel had an impact as well. New ways of transportation and communication were brought about during the time of Urbanization. Jobs opening in factories also gave people the urge to move to the cities to begin working at one.
Urbanization began to change the cities. The main one obviously being a population increase in the cities. As the cities became over crowded, new cheap tenements were created to house the population. They were dark, unsanitary, and caught on fire easily. The crime rates raised in the city as well, and new gangs were created. Cultural variations arisen from all the different immigrants moving to the cities as well as people from the rural areas moving to the cities.
A new kind of political system developed during Urbanization called political machines. These were groups that were created for the purpose of gaining and keeping power overtime. These people mostly tried to approach new people arriving in the cities. The new population was searching for homes, jobs, and protection. The political machines or party bosses provided them with these necessities in exchange for votes. These political machines also controlled the finances most of the time for the city. Many of these people grew rich over time after getting money through being dishonest and not trustworthy.
Tammany Hall was known as the New York political machine. William M. Tweed was the leader of the Tammany Hall during the 1860s/1870s. He gained the nick name of "Boss" for having so much control and power. From having so much corruption, Tweed was later sent to prison after how much he had gotten away with.
There were many different problems arising in the city life around the late 1800s. Sanitation was a huge problem. The water was unclean. Immigrant workers just needed to find a place to live. Most of them lived in crowded tenements. Up to 9 men would sleep in one small room. These tenements had no basic needs such as water, ventilations, and toilet usage. It was a very easy way to spread infectious diseases. Another big problem was fires. The tenements were typically made out of wood, so they are highly flammable. On top of that, the fire easily spread between the buildings so they would burn acres at a time. It is typically hard to find a good, clean living place. As well as the sanitation, there was also air pollution from the population using transportation to move through the city.
One advantage to living in the city was it being a cultural variation. With all of the immigrants coming in from many different countries, there is always something new to learn. Another great advantage to living in the city was the entertainment aspect. There is an array of options to choose from when using your free time. People would perform on the streets all the time. Another advantage was being socially advanced. You were able to talk to many different people and get to know them since you were in such a crowded and overpopulated place. When living in the city with all the immigrants, you would be able to hear many different languages and maybe even learn how to speak them.
Urbanization and Immigration bought poverty to the American cities. There was many people financially unstable during this time period due to the amount of overpopulation occurring. The US population has been moving from rural areas to urban areas and changing their small towns into large cities filled with skyscrapers and factories. New transportation such as trolleys have opened peoples eyes to new opportunities in the city life. The economy shifted from agriculture to manufacturing over the late 1800s, and expanded from only having trade and shipment of goods to a location filled with industrial activity.
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"Political Machines." Political Machines. Colorado Education, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2016. <http://autocww.colorado.edu/~flc/E64ContentFiles/PoliticsAndGovernment/PoliticalMachines.htm>.
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""Robber Barons" or "Captains of Industry"" "Robber Barons" or "Captains of Industry" The Social Studies Help Center, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2016. <http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/Lesson_44_Notes.htm>.
Shmoop Editorial Team. "Politics in Ellis Island Era Immigration." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 16 Apr. 2016. <http://www.shmoop.com/ellis-island-immigration/politics.html>.
"Urbanization and Its Challenges." · US History. Phil Schatz, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2016. <http://philschatz.com/us-history-book/contents/m50109.html>.
"Urbanization in America." For Kids: Causes, Effects and Benefits ***. American Historama, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2016. <http://www.american-historama.org/1881-1913-maturation-era/urbanization-in-america.htm>.
"Urbanization." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2016. <https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/urbanization.htm>.
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