Millions of Immigrants Arrive

In the mid-1800s large numbers of immigrants crossed Atlantic Ocean to begin new lives in the United States.oMore than 4 million of them settled

in the United States between 1840 and 1860.

oMany were from Ireland and Germany

Irish Potato FamineoMid- 1840s

Potato blight A disease that

causes rot in the potatoes = lack of food

• More than a million died or starvation

oMany of the Irish worked at unskilled jobs when they arrived in the U.S.

Men: Building Canals and railroads

Women: often worked as domestic servants

Failed German Revolutiono1848 some Germans had stages a revolution against harsh ruleGermans were more likely than the Irish to become farmers and live in rural areas. Many moved to Midwestern states

where land was more available. Unlike the Irish many Germans arrived with money.

Anti- Immigration Movements

A great deal of native born Americans feared losing their jobs to immigrants who might work lower wages

Religious differences oMost of Americans were Protestants,

with many Catholic immigrants arriving, because of conflicts that were happening in Europe between these two groups there was a sense of mistrust.

Nativists: Those Americans and others who opposed immigration. o In 1849 nativist founded a political

organization

The Know-Nothing Party Supported measures making it

difficult for foreigners to become citizens or hold office.

Wanted to keep Catholics and immigrants out of public office–Wanted to require immigrants to

live in the United States for 21 years before becoming a citizen

Rapid Growth of Cities

The Industrial Revolution led to many new jobs in American cities

The Transportation Revolution helped to connect the cities and made it easier for people to move to the citiesoBy the Mid-1800’s three-quarters of the

country’s manufacturing jobs were in the northeast and middle Atlantic cities.

Cities as of 1850

City Culture

o People were able to visit libraries, clubs and attend concerts or lectures, theaters, bowling and boxing matches.

oCities were compact and crowded Many walked to work Wagons would carry

goods in the streets

Urban Problems

oLack of safe housing Tenements: poorly

designed apartment building that housed large numbers of people.

Often dirty, overcrowded and unsafe

Quickly built and not with good materials.

oPoor Public ServiceMost cities did not have clean water, public health regulations or a way to get rid of garbage, human and animal waste. Because of this disease spread easily

Crime was also an issue cities didn’t have a permanent or organized force to fight crime.

Fire, was a constant and serious danger in crowed cites. Again no

permanent or organized force

The Second Great Awakening

During the 1790’s and early 1800’s some American took part in the Christian Renewal movement oCharles Grandison Finney

Was one of the most important leaders of the movement.

Told congregations that each individual was responsible for his or her own salvation.