20-24
Westward Expansion
Westward Expansion
In the post-Civil War period, westward expansion continued as people moved from one region to another and immigrated to the United States.
In the post-Civil War period, westward expansion continued as people moved from one region to another and immigrated to the United States.
After emancipation, some African Americans moved to towns in the West, for example, the Exodusters who moved to Kansas.
After emancipation, some African Americans moved to towns in the West, for example, the Exodusters who moved to Kansas.
In the postwar period, most South Carolinians did not move west.
In the postwar period, most South Carolinians did not move west.
Neither African-American freedmen nor poor whites had the money to make such a move, even with the promise of free land.
Neither African-American freedmen nor poor whites had the money to make such a move, even with the promise of free land.
Instead they concentrated on making use of the available land and economic opportunity in their home state.
Instead they concentrated on making use of the available land and economic opportunity in their home state.
Motivations for settlers from the East and from foreign countries to move West were the offers of free land by the United States Government [Homestead Act] and the economic opportunities made possible by the railroad.
Motivations for settlers from the East and from foreign countries to move West were the offers of free land by the United States Government [Homestead Act] and the economic opportunities made possible by the railroad.
The transcontinental railroad first brought immigrants from China and Europe to lay the track then attracted new settlers to the West through aggressive advertising and land sales and also provided farmers access to new markets.
The transcontinental railroad first brought immigrants from China and Europe to lay the track then attracted new settlers to the West through aggressive advertising and land sales and also provided farmers access to new markets.
African American Migration…The Great Migration
African American Migration…The Great Migration
Depressed economic conditions and low prices for their crops drove many South Carolina farmers off of the land and to the mill villages.
Depressed economic conditions and low prices for their crops drove many South Carolina farmers off of the land and to the mill villages.
However, mill jobs were not open to African Americans.
However, mill jobs were not open to African Americans.
Instead African Americans moved from rural areas in South Carolina to factory jobs in the urban areas in the Northeast and the Midwest.
Instead African Americans moved from rural areas in South Carolina to factory jobs in the urban areas in the Northeast and the Midwest.
African Americans were also pushed out of the state by the continued agricultural depression and the ravages of the boll weevil, by the social discrimination of Jim Crow laws and by increasing violence.
African Americans were also pushed out of the state by the continued agricultural depression and the ravages of the boll weevil, by the social discrimination of Jim Crow laws and by increasing violence.
The wars of the twentieth century would provide additional economic opportunities and prompt more migration.
The wars of the twentieth century would provide additional economic opportunities and prompt more migration.
Foreign Immigrants and SC
Foreign Immigrants and SC
Foreign immigrants did not come to South Carolina in large numbers because of the depressed economic conditions in agriculture, the lack of available land, and a lack of industrial jobs.
Foreign immigrants did not come to South Carolina in large numbers because of the depressed economic conditions in agriculture, the lack of available land, and a lack of industrial jobs.
The mills had an ample supply of dispossessed farmers from the rural areas of the state.
The mills had an ample supply of dispossessed farmers from the rural areas of the state.
Those immigrants who did come to the state made significant cultural and economic contributions to South Carolina.
Those immigrants who did come to the state made significant cultural and economic contributions to South Carolina.
Many immigrants established businesses including the founder and editor of The State newspaper, who was an immigrant from Cuba.
Many immigrants established businesses including the founder and editor of The State newspaper, who was an immigrant from Cuba.
Immigration Impact on the United States and SC
Immigration Impact on the United States and SC
Immigration had a much greater impact on the cities of the Northeast and Midwest.
Immigration had a much greater impact on the cities of the Northeast and Midwest.
Although some immigrants moved to the plains and established farms, many immigrants were too poor to move beyond the port cities where they landed.
Although some immigrants moved to the plains and established farms, many immigrants were too poor to move beyond the port cities where they landed.
Ethnic neighborhoods grew as immigrants looked for the familiar in a strange new land.
Ethnic neighborhoods grew as immigrants looked for the familiar in a strange new land.
Churches, schools, businesses, and newspapers reflected the ethnicity of Little Italy, Greektown or Polonia.
Churches, schools, businesses, and newspapers reflected the ethnicity of Little Italy, Greektown or Polonia.
South Carolina city neighborhoods were divided into black and white sections by law.
South Carolina city neighborhoods were divided into black and white sections by law.
Many established immigrants helped those who had newly arrived to find jobs and housing which had a powerful impact on city politics.
Many established immigrants helped those who had newly arrived to find jobs and housing which had a powerful impact on city politics.
People voted for those who found them jobs and helped them through hard times.
People voted for those who found them jobs and helped them through hard times.
Immigrants gave their votes to neighborhood and ward bosses in gratitude for the help they had received, not as a result of any direct bribery.
Immigrants gave their votes to neighborhood and ward bosses in gratitude for the help they had received, not as a result of any direct bribery.
Although many political bosses were corrupt and routinely used graft and bribery in awarding city contracts, they also served an important role in helping new immigrants to adapt to their new country.
Although many political bosses were corrupt and routinely used graft and bribery in awarding city contracts, they also served an important role in helping new immigrants to adapt to their new country.
The power that immigrant groups gave to this urban political machine allowed the bosses to solve urban problems.
The power that immigrant groups gave to this urban political machine allowed the bosses to solve urban problems.
The political machine in South Carolina was controlled by the Tillmanite faction of the Democratic Party.
The political machine in South Carolina was controlled by the Tillmanite faction of the Democratic Party.
They too engaged in corruption and graft and controlled the votes of the people through disfranchisement of the African American voter and racist rhetoric but gave voice to the aspirations of the common white farmer.
They too engaged in corruption and graft and controlled the votes of the people through disfranchisement of the African American voter and racist rhetoric but gave voice to the aspirations of the common white farmer.
Just as the immigrant communities helped each other, the African American community in South Carolina developed organizations and churches that supported them as they attempted to protect themselves against the white political machine.
Just as the immigrant communities helped each other, the African American community in South Carolina developed organizations and churches that supported them as they attempted to protect themselves against the white political machine.
Nativism
Nativism
Much like the restrictions on the rights of African Americans in South Carolina, racial hostility led to restrictions on immigration.
Much like the restrictions on the rights of African Americans in South Carolina, racial hostility led to restrictions on immigration.
Students should understand the term nativism.
Students should understand the term nativism.
In the late nineteenth century, resentments focused on the immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe including the Italians, Poles, Russians and Eastern European Jews, as the numbers of these groups grew and the differences with previous immigrant groups including the Irish and Germans and 'native' Americans were more obvious.
In the late nineteenth century, resentments focused on the immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe including the Italians, Poles, Russians and Eastern European Jews, as the numbers of these groups grew and the differences with previous immigrant groups including the Irish and Germans and 'native' Americans were more obvious.
Although literacy tests for immigrants were proposed in Congress in the 1890s, immigration restrictions in the form of a quota system did not pass until the 1920s.
Although literacy tests for immigrants were proposed in Congress in the 1890s, immigration restrictions in the form of a quota system did not pass until the 1920s.
Late nineteenth century nativism can be seen as a Northern counterpart of the anti-African American prejudices in South Carolina.
Late nineteenth century nativism can be seen as a Northern counterpart of the anti-African American prejudices in South Carolina.
Effect of Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Effect of Racial and Ethnic Diversity
The effect of racial and ethnic diversity on national identity in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century was to solidify the confidence among the native white population in their inherent superiority and "100% Americanism."
The effect of racial and ethnic diversity on national identity in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century was to solidify the confidence among the native white population in their inherent superiority and "100% Americanism."
The idea of Social Darwinism gave an intellectual justification for white supremacy.
The idea of Social Darwinism gave an intellectual justification for white supremacy.
It was not until much later in the twentieth century that immigrants and African Americans were recognized for the contributions they have made to the strength of American democracy and the richness of American culture.
It was not until much later in the twentieth century that immigrants and African Americans were recognized for the contributions they have made to the strength of American democracy and the richness of American culture.