19tcsoc

American Society: 1860-1910: Overview

Period of growing cities: growth of urban working & middle classes

"New Immigration" means new cultural dynamics

New wave of immigrants spurs intense nativism, assistance efforts

Growing influence of American women: suffrage efforts, social reform

Civil rights efforts for African-Americans: debate, progress

Urbanization/Middle class emergence

Industrialization focusing population in cities: creates large bureaucratic & professional middle class

Professionalization: organization of professional organizations/identification (AMA, AHA, ASSA, etc.)

time & $$ for leisure: baseball, reading, bicycling

increasing literacy, educational levels

New Immigration

New immigrants from new places: eastern/southern Europe, Asia

Primary reasons for new immigration: economic opportunity, religious freedom

Conditions quite difficult for many- need: to learn English, find jobs, survive harsh living conditions

Growth of dense urban neighborhoods: NYC: lower east side, stockyards of Chicago, Homestead, PA

Reactions to New Immigrants

Urban & progressive social efforts: Jane Addams-Hull House (Chicago), Lillian Wald -Henry Street (New York)

Nativism spurs fears, anti-immigrant groups & momentum: American Protective Association

Nativism: anti-Catholic, against economic competition, racist, anti-Semitic

connection between Social Darwinism & nativism

Rising role & prominence of women:

Women as social reformers: Jane Addams, Clara Barton, Nellie Bly, Carrie Nation, Carrie Chapman Cott

temperance (ACTU), Red Cross, suffrage, help for immigrants

key efforts coordinated by women (as in earlier parts of American history