IMMIGRATION AND URBANIZATION

Question #17: How did immigrants assimilate into American society?

America was thought of as a great “melting pot”, where cultures from all over the world blended together, but this was not the case.

My immigrants wanted to assimilate into American culture, but couldn’t because of intense discrimination.

Most immigrants stayed with their own groups in cities, and lived in ethnic-based neighborhoods called “ghettos”.

These neighborhoods would share the same language, religion, and culture.

Ex: “Chinatowns”.

American Food Metaphors:

America is more like a salad bowl than a melting pot. Cultures exist together, but have not melted into a single identity - yet.

Question #17: How did immigrants assimilate into American society?

In many cities “Americanization” institutions arose to help immigrants fit in better.

“Americanization” is the process of helping newcomers learn American ways. (Language, customs, dress, and diet).

Immigrants usually stuck with their native cultures, but children of immigrants were more likely to adopt American ways.

When moving to new a place: is it better to stick with your old traditions, or adopt new ones to fit in?

Question #18: Describe American Early Urban Life

“Urbanization” refers to the rapid growth of cities and urban areas.

Many immigrants, though remaining close to similar ethnicities, moved to cities due to the high number of jobs available.

This competition for jobs created many clashes among immigrant groups, as well as Nativists.

With so many people moving to cities in such a short span of time, leaders could not plan/build in advance, and they become overcrowded and dirty.

Question #18: Describe American Early Urban Life

Many immigrant workers had to live in “tenements” –small rooms in large buildings that people rented. (We know them as apartments today).

Tenements were often cramped, dark, cold, filthy and overpriced.

Some neighborhoods became known as “slums” – very poor neighborhoods with many people and few resources.

Slums were filled with crime and poverty, and though they do not exist in America much anymore – they still exist around the world.

Question #19: Similarities and differences between American slum life and modern slum life.

Look back at the photos of both American and modern day slum life to compare and contrast.