New York Framework Key Ideas:

*I break key idea 8.2 into three units. Everything in bold italics is taught in the Immigration Unit*

• 8.2 A CHANGING SOCIETY: Industrialization and immigration contributed to the urbanization of America. Problems resulting from these changes sparked the Progressive movement and increased calls for reform. (Standards: 1, 2, 4; Themes: MOV, SOC, TECH, EXCH)
  • 8.2a Technological developments changed the modes of production, and access to natural resources facilitated increased industrialization. The demand for labor in urban industrial areas resulted in increased migration from rural areas and a rapid increase in immigration to the United States. New York City became the nation’s largest city, and other cities in New York State also experienced growth at this time.
    • Students will identify groups of people who moved into urban areas, and examine where they came from and the reasons for their migration into the cities. Students will explore the immigrant experience at Ellis Island.
    • Students will compare and contrast immigrant experiences in locations such as ethnic neighborhoods in cities, rural settlements in the Midwest, Chinese communities in the Far West, and Mexican communities in the Southwest.
  • 8.2b Population density, diversity, technologies, and industry in urban areas shaped the social, cultural, and economic lives of people.
    • Students will examine the population growth of New York City and other New York cities and the technologies and industries which encouraged this growth.
    • Students will examine the living conditions in urban areas with a focus on increasing population density and the effects that this growth had on the social, cultural, and economic lives of people.
  • 8.2c Increased urbanization and industrialization contributed to increasing conflicts over immigration, influenced changes in labor conditions, and led to political corruption.
    • Students will examine nativism and anti-immigration policies, including the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Gentlemen’s Agreement, and immigration legislation of the 1920s.
    • Students will explore the growth and effects of child labor and sweatshops.
    • Students will explore the development of political machines, including Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall.
  • 8.2d In response to shifts in working conditions, laborers organized and employed a variety of strategies in an attempt to improve their conditions.
    • Students will examine the goals and tactics of specific labor unions including the Knights of Labor, the American Federation of Labor, and the Industrial Workers of the World.
    • Students will examine key labor events including the Haymarket affair, the Pullman Strike and the International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union strike.
  • 8.2e Progressive reformers sought to address political and social issues at the local, state, and federal levels of government between 1890 and 1920. These efforts brought renewed attention to women’s rights and the suffrage movement and spurred the creation of government reform policies.
    • Students will examine the Populist Party as a reform effort by farmers in response to industrialization.
    • Students will investigate reformers and muckrakers such as Jane Addams, Florence Kelley, W. E. B. du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Ida Tarbell, Eugene V. Debs, Jacob Riis, Booker T. Washington, and Upton Sinclair. Student investigations should include the key issues in the individual’s work and the actions that individual took or recommended to address those issues.
    • Students will explore leaders and activities of the temperance and woman’s suffrage movements.
    • Students will investigate the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and the legislative response.
    • Students will examine state and federal government responses to reform efforts, including the passage of the 17th amendment, child labor and minimum wage laws, antitrust legislation, and food and drug regulations.

Essential Questions:

• How did immigration and urbanization change American society?
• What was the immigrant experience in the United States at the turn of the century?

5 Main Ideas of Immigration:

1) Immigrants flooded into the United States for various political (civil war, revolution), economic (poverty, famine), and social (religious persecution) reasons. Immigrant groups that came to the United States during this time period included Italians, Russians, Poles, Chinese, Irish, and Mexicans.

2) Most immigrants lived in city neighborhoods with immigrants from the same homeland. They could only afford housing in tenements and found jobs as unskilled laborers (factory workers, construction, peddlers, miners).

3) All immigrant groups faced discrimination from Americans. Nativist believed immigrants were ruining the country and immigration needed to be restricted. Laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act and National Origins Act did that.

4) Immigrant faced hardships assimilating into American culture, which included learning the language, dressing like Americans, making American friends, and learning American customs.

5) Immigrants brought their cultural traditions to the United States and enriched American culture with their food, language, holidays, and artisan skills.