APUSH APUSH Period 6 1865 1898 Immigration and Urbanization New Immigrants Ellis Island Tenements

Why This Matters

Immigration and urbanization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries significantly impacted American society, shaping the nation's identity and contributing to the growth of cities. This period saw the influx of millions of new immigrants, primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe, who faced harsh living conditions in tenements and struggled to adapt to American culture. Understanding this topic is crucial for analyzing the AP theme of American Identity, as it highlights the tensions between assimilation and cultural preservation, and the role of government policies in shaping the immigrant experience.

Key Events & People

• Ellis Island (1892-1924): A processing center for immigrants arriving in the United States, where millions of people from around the world passed through on their way to a new life.
• The New Immigrants (1880s-1920s): Millions of immigrants arrived in the United States from Southern and Eastern Europe, bringing with them different cultures, languages, and customs.
• Jacob Riis (1849-1914): A Danish-American journalist and social reformer who exposed the harsh conditions of tenement life in his book "How the Other Half Lives" (1890).
• The Tenement Act of 1901: A law that aimed to improve living conditions in New York City's tenements by requiring landlords to provide basic amenities such as toilets and running water.
• The Immigration Act of 1924: A law that established quotas for immigration based on national origin, effectively limiting the number of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe.
• Mary Harris Jones (1830-1930): An Irish-American labor and community organizer who advocated for workers' rights and improved living conditions in urban areas.
• The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911): A devastating factory fire in New York City that killed 146 workers, highlighting the need for improved workplace safety and labor protections.
• The National Origins Act of 1924: A law that established quotas for immigration based on national origin, effectively limiting the number of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe.
• The Commission on Immigration (1910-1911): A government commission that investigated the issue of immigration and made recommendations for reform.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The rapid growth of industry in the late 19th century created a demand for cheap labor, leading to an influx of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe.
• Effect: The new immigrants faced harsh living conditions in tenements, leading to overcrowding, poor sanitation, and the spread of diseases.

• Long-term consequence: The growth of urban slums and the rise of social reform movements, such as the settlement house movement, which aimed to improve living conditions and provide social services to immigrants.

• Cause: The lack of effective government regulation and enforcement of labor laws led to poor working conditions and exploitation of immigrant workers.

• Effect: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire highlighted the need for improved workplace safety and labor protections, leading to the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938.

• Long-term consequence: The establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1971, which regulates workplace safety and health standards.

• Cause: The restrictive immigration policies of the 1920s, such as the National Origins Act, limited the number of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe.

• Effect: The quotas established by the National Origins Act led to a significant decrease in immigration from these regions, but also created a backlog of applicants and a sense of injustice among those who were denied entry.
• Long-term consequence: The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which abolished the national origins quota system and established a more inclusive immigration policy.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Assimilation*: The process by which immigrants adopt the customs, language, and culture of their new country.
• *Tenement*: A type of housing that was common in urban areas, characterized by overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate living conditions.
• *Gilded Age*: A term used to describe the period of rapid industrialization and economic growth in the United States during the late 19th century.
• *National Origins Act*: A law that established quotas for immigration based on national origin, effectively limiting the number of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe.
• *Commission on Immigration*: A government commission that investigated the issue of immigration and made recommendations for reform.
• *Settlement House Movement*: A social reform movement that aimed to improve living conditions and provide social services to immigrants.
• *Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire*: A devastating factory fire in New York City that killed 146 workers, highlighting the need for improved workplace safety and labor protections.
• *Fair Labor Standards Act*: A law that established minimum wage and overtime protections for workers.
• *Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)*: A government agency that regulates workplace safety and health standards.
• *Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965*: A law that abolished the national origins quota system and established a more inclusive immigration policy.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Ellis Island immigration station was located in New York City.
• Correction: Ellis Island was actually located in New Jersey, on the Upper New York Bay.

• Memory trick: Think of the Statue of Liberty, which is located in New York Harbor, and the fact that Ellis Island is located on the other side of the harbor.

• What students often get wrong: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was the result of a labor dispute.

• Correction: The fire was actually caused by a combination of factors, including inadequate safety measures, overcrowding, and the use of flammable materials.

• Memory trick: Think of the fact that the fire was a major turning point in the labor movement, leading to the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

• What students often get wrong: The National Origins Act was passed in the 1920s.

• Correction: The National Origins Act was actually passed in 1924, but the quotas established by the law were based on a 1921 law.
• Memory trick: Think of the fact that the law was a major restriction on immigration, and that it was part of a broader effort to limit the number of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the impact of the new immigrants on American society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the growth of urban slums and the rise of social reform movements.
• Specific evidence: Cite the work of Jacob Riis, who exposed the harsh conditions of tenement life in his book "How the Other Half Lives." Also, mention the role of Mary Harris Jones, who advocated for workers' rights and improved living conditions in urban areas.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the effectiveness of the National Origins Act in addressing the issue of immigration during the 1920s. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the quotas established by the law and the impact on immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe.
• Specific evidence: Cite the language of the National Origins Act, which established quotas based on national origin. Also, mention the impact of the law on immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, including the decrease in the number of immigrants from these regions.

Quick Self‑Check

1. What was the primary purpose of the Ellis Island immigration station? a) To process immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe b) To provide social services to immigrants c) To regulate immigration from other countries d) To establish quotas for immigration

Answer: a) To process immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe

Explanation: Ellis Island was a major processing center for immigrants arriving in the United States, particularly those from Southern and Eastern Europe.

1. What was the name of the law that established quotas for immigration based on national origin? a) The National Origins Act b) The Immigration Act of 1924 c) The Fair Labor Standards Act d) The Occupational Safety and Health Act

Answer: a) The National Origins Act

Explanation: The National Origins Act established quotas for immigration based on national origin, effectively limiting the number of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe.

1. What was the name of the devastating factory fire that highlighted the need for improved workplace safety and labor protections? a) The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire b) The Ellis Island Fire c) The National Origins Act Fire d) The Fair Labor Standards Act Fire

Answer: a) The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Explanation: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was a major turning point in the labor movement, leading to the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Last‑Minute Cram Sheet

• Ellis Island was located in New Jersey, on the Upper New York Bay.
• The National Origins Act established quotas for immigration based on national origin.
• The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire highlighted the need for improved workplace safety and labor protections.
• The Fair Labor Standards Act established minimum wage and overtime protections for workers.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates workplace safety and health standards.
• The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished the national origins quota system and established a more inclusive immigration policy.
• The Commission on Immigration investigated the issue of immigration and made recommendations for reform.
• The Settlement House Movement aimed to improve living conditions and provide social services to immigrants.
• Jacob Riis exposed the harsh conditions of tenement life in his book "How the Other Half Lives."
• Mary Harris Jones advocated for workers' rights and improved living conditions in urban areas.
• ⚠️ The "Gilded Age" was named by Mark Twain – it means glittering on the outside, corrupt inside.