DBQ 9: Immigration and Assimilation in Urban America, 1870-1900 Outline

I.

Introduction/Thesis Immigration influx occurred greatly during the nineteenth century. Most immigrants came from Ireland and Germany, but immigrants also came from other countries such as Canada, other parts of Europe, and Asia. Some were escaping famine and poverty, others were escaping religious or political persecution, but many came to make a better life for themselves (Document A Immigration to the United States) o Ireland = escape from famine and poverty o Germany = political persecution o Japanese = money; country was undergoing a depression o Chinese = escape from the turmoil of the Opium War Industrial Revolution affected immigration to the U.S. greatly o Attracted many newcomers because of the job opportunities o Immigrants that came during this time period were mainly from Italy, Austria, Hungary, Russia, Great Britain, and Ireland Immigration had a great effect on the growth of industry o As more people immigrated, more jobs were needed More factories were made or more companies started with a lot of jobs for these immigrant to take Some immigrants started their own businesses (Chinese = launderers), and many others worked for employers They had many difficulties o They came to a country not knowing the language or customs o They had no homes or places to go Many ended living in the district slums or ghettos, where they could find low rent

 II.

Crowded one room apartments shared amongst a family of four or six Women entered into prostitution (brothels) o Usually paid the lowest wages for the most resented jobs, which had poor work conditions and a multitude of risks o There was a foul smell, noise, and pollution from factories and soot o The mortality rate was high and many children died before a year But they knew they had a better life in America than any place else. The question remained: Would life become better?

Before arriving in the U.S., immigrants went through immigrant processing centers at Ellis Island in New York Harbor, Castle Garden on the tip of Manhattan Island, or Angel Island in San Francisco Bay on the West Coast. o Were given a physical exam to check for diseases and other deficiencies o Those who failed were deported o Those who passed had their names recorded and were allowed entrance into the country Once in the country, it was crucial that the immigrants found jobs and housing to support their families and themselves o Many immigrants immediately found meager jobs in factories or mines. 13-16 hours Children to the elderly worked under dangerous conditions Children were forced to crawl into running machines to fix malfunctions Several injuries occurred due to overwork and little to no safety precautions They had few or no breaks Paid for their own supplies, accidental damages, fines and fees

 When finished with work, men, women, and children would return home to the slums, which were clustered within walking distance of manufacturing districts Like the labor conditions, the housing conditions were no betterfilled with crime, noise, pollution, and foul odors of tanneries, foundries, factories, and packing houses. They were particularly difficult for children, who caught juvenile diseases such as whooping cough, measles, and scarlet fever, which took a toll on infant life Crime was also increasing as immigration increased; majority of the thugs were American born children of foreign parents. o And according to Josiah Strong, a Congressionalist clergyman, immigration not only furnishes the greater portion of our criminals, it is also seriously affecting the morals of the native population (Document B Our Country: Its Possible Future and Its Present Crisis) Apart from a poor housing environment, immigrants found themselves competing with others for this menial lifestyle. One would wonder why they continued to bend over backwards to live this menial lifestyle, when the American dream theyve dreamt of wasnt reality. o Abraham Ribhany, a Syrian immigrant, recalled there were no Americans in the community he lived in. I have seen a multitude of Irish, Italians, Poles, Russians, Chinese, and other human elementsbut where are the Americans? he continues. It seemed to me that in a cosmopolitan city like New York it was ell-nigh impossible for a poor foreigner like me to come into helpful contact with real white families. (Document G The Far Journey) Already, division between the poor immigrants and well-to-do whites had occurred.

III.

Housing and labor conditions, however, were just the beginning of the American dream. Many immigrants found themselves being discriminated against on a daily basis by middle and upper class whites and public officials.

Edward Steiner, a Slovak immigrant, recalled that the immigrant in Chicagofound no gateway open to him except the saloon, the brothel, the cheap lodging house...The agencies which began the assimilative process were all anti-social, greedy for their prey and, worst of all, the police was [sic] in league with them and protected themI have repeatedlyfind myself unpleasantly involved with the police. (Document C From Alien to Citizen) Apart from local discrimination, some immigrants found their cases taken to the Supreme Court in order to diplomatically take care of the situation o In the Supreme Court Case of Yick Wo v. Hopkins, Sheriff, etcMr. Wo argued that Chinese immigrant laundry owners had done nothing wrong, but worked to maintain a living. The public officials of the area, however, argued that these immigrant laundries were a hazard to the neighborhood, and to precaution against injury to the public health, the Chinese laundries should not be permitted to continue in their business. However, those who are not included as Chinese subjects are allowed to continue the same business under similar conditions to the Chinese. Supreme Court Justice, Stanley Matthews, voted in favor of the Chinese saying that the act of discrimination witnessed is in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, which protects the rights of the citizens. Mr. Wo and his fellow launderers would be allowed to continue making their living as they were before. (Document E Yick Wo v. Hopkins, Sheriff, etc) Discrimination against blacks and immigrants continued well into the 20th-century, only just accepting some white immigrants as U.S. citizens.

IV.

While immigration continued to flourish in the United States, several reform movements occurred including the temperance and public education movement. The temperance movement was an organized effort to encourage moderation in the consumption of alcohol

White men as well as immigrants relied heavily on drinks for entertainment and social gatherings. Immigrants especially suffered greatly under the consequences of alcohol, which included health problems, destitution, and crime. (Document B Our Country: Its Possible Future and Its Present Crisis) Apart from temperance, the public education reform was discussed regularly among women and families, but created disturbance among Catholics and working and upper class women who objected many of the reformations underway. For immigrants, however, public education threatened their way of life. o For one, the teachers rigorously taught immigrant children the ways of America, without respecting their particular cultures and ideals. This created a disturbance among families as their children began to show contempt for their own culture. o Jane Addams, and education reformer, elaborates on this topic in her speech to the National Education Association. She begins insisting that the teacherinsists that the boys powers must at once be developed in an abstract direction, quite ignoring the fact that his parents have had to do only with tangible things. She has little idea of the development of Italian lifeshe fails therefore not only in knowledge of but also in respect for the child and his parentsThis cutting into his family loyalty takes away one of the most conspicuous and valuable traits of the Italian child. (Document H Jane Addams, speech to the National Education Association) o Apart from different cultural values, public school education was based on punctuality and discipline. One thirteen-year-old boy cried, saying [T]hey hits ye if yer dont learn, and they hits ye if ye whisper, and they hits ye if yer seat squeaks, and they hits ye if ye dont stan up in time, and they hits ye if yer

late, and they hits ye if yer ferget the page. As a result, many families were torn between providing an education and pulling their child out of the school. o But amid the disputes, school enrollments dramatically expanded, laying the groundwork for the public school system today.

V.

Conclusion/Summary Throughout the nineteenth century, many immigrants have undergone this cruel lifestyle of the American dream. Many would ask why the continued to live in such horrible conditions, but others would comment that they were offered opportunity in America and that they tried to make a living for generations to come. But was that really the case? At his speech at Curry Commercial College in Pittsburgh, Andrew Carnegie quoted Emerson by stating no one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourselves. But was that true for the many immigrants immigrated to America in hopes for a better future. Those who were haggled and exploited by tavernkeepers, peddlers, and porters at immigrant processing centers such as Ellis Island. The immigrants who worked day and night in order to support their families were not majorly successful in America. Some were able to open their own business or move their families to a better home, but all in all that was as far as their wealth went. They did, however, manage to create a groundwork for future generations of American-born children to succeed in the place they werent.