American Pageant Chapter 25 APUSH Review

Summary

This video explores the significant themes of immigration and urbanization in America between 1865 and 1920. It highlights the surge in city populations due to economic opportunities, with 40% of Americans living in cities by 1900, increasing to over 50% by 1920. The discussion covers mass immigration from Europe and Asia, internal migration from rural areas, and the Great Migration of African Americans to northern cities. Technological advancements like the skyscraper and electric streetcars facilitated urban growth, while also leading to urban poverty, poor living conditions, and the rise of political machines. The video also touches on the changing roles of women, ethnic segregation, and the responses to these challenges through movements like the Social Gospel and the establishment of institutions like the NAACP.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ The period from 1865 to 1900 saw a significant increase in urbanization in America, with 40% of Americans living in cities by 1900 and over 50% by 1920.
• 🌐 Economic opportunities in industrial jobs were the main drivers for both international and internal migrations to urban areas.
• 🏗️ Technological advancements like the Bessemer process, electric street cars, and the first subways facilitated urban growth and allowed people to live and work in cities more efficiently.
• 👩‍💼 The industrial revolution created new job opportunities for women, leading to increased independence and a shift in gender roles.
• 📈 The rapid urbanization led to challenges such as urban poverty, a widening wealth gap, and poor living conditions, including the rise of tenements and slums.
• 🏛️ The growth of cities resulted in the emergence of political bosses and machine politics, with figures like William Boss Tweed controlling politics in major cities.
• 🌐 The 'new immigrants' from Southern and Eastern Europe faced different perceptions and challenges compared to the 'old immigrants' from Northern and Western Europe.
• 🚫 Responses to changing immigration patterns included nativist movements, economic concerns, and attempts at exclusion through policies like the Chinese Exclusion Act and literacy tests.
• 🤝 Reform movements like the Social Gospel, Salvation Army, and settlement houses aimed to address urban poverty and aid immigrants in adapting to their new society.
• 📚 The late 19th century saw a rise in education and literacy, with compulsory school attendance and tax-supported schools becoming more accessible.
• 💼 African American leaders like Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois offered contrasting visions for black liberation, with Washington advocating for vocational education and Du Bois for immediate political and social equality.

Q & A

What were the two main topics discussed in the video script?

The two main topics discussed were immigration and urbanization in America during the period from 1865 to 1900.

What was the percentage of Americans living in cities by 1900 and by 1920?

By 1900, 40 percent of Americans were living in cities, and by 1920, it had increased to over 50 percent.

What were the factors contributing to the growth of cities during the discussed period?

The growth of cities was contributed by mass immigration from abroad, internal migration from rural areas to urban areas, economic opportunities in industrial jobs, and advancements in technology such as skyscrapers, electric street cars, and subways.

How did the changing roles for women manifest during this period?

Women took on new jobs created by the industrial revolution, such as operating typewriters and telephones, which increased their economic opportunities and sense of independence.

What were some of the problems that arose with the increase in urbanization?

Problems included urban poverty, a rising gap between the rich and the poor, lack of clean water, limited sanitation and trash disposal, and the rise of tenements and slums.

How did political bosses and machine politics influence city life during this period?

Political bosses and machine politics controlled the politics in major cities, providing basic welfare services to the poor and immigrant communities in exchange for political support and loyalty.

What were the differences between the 'old immigrants' and the 'new immigrants'?

Old immigrants were mainly from northern and western Europe, often Protestant, literate, skilled, and some were middle class. New immigrants were from southern and eastern Europe, often Catholic, Greek Orthodox, or Jewish, mostly illiterate, unskilled, and arrived poor.

What were the push factors that led to immigration during the Gilded Age?

Push factors included job loss due to mechanization in Europe, poverty, political instability, and religious persecution, particularly in southern and eastern Europe.

What were some of the responses to the changing immigration patterns in America?

Responses included the rise of nativism, racial motivations, economic concerns about job competition and wage suppression, political fears of radical ideas, and religious differences due to the non-Protestant nature of many new immigrants.

How did the Social Gospel movement and settlement house movement aim to address the issues of urbanization and immigration?

The Social Gospel movement believed Christians had a responsibility to help those in need, focusing on moral improvement and Americanization. The settlement house movement provided social services directly in poor and immigrant communities, with a focus on adaptation and secular-based assistance.

What were the contrasting visions of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois for African-American advancement?

Booker T. Washington advocated for vocational education and economic independence as a means to achieve civil rights, while W.E.B. Du Bois demanded immediate political and social equality and advocated for African Americans to become intellectuals to lead the community towards greater civil rights.