westward expansion. factors of american growth and expansion in the late 19th century westward...
TRANSCRIPT
Factors of American growth and expansion in the late 19th
century
Westward Movement of populationImmigrants flock to AmericaGrowth of citiesAdmission of new states
Westward Movement of population
Following the Civil War, the westward movement of settlers intensified into the vast region between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean
Gold Rushes
California Gold Rush, 1849– 100,000 men lured to California– By 1858, all the good mines were
taken and they had to look for gold elsewhere
Colorado Rush of 1859– Many of the Californian miners
went to Colorado to “strike it rich”– They failed and many returned east,
but those who stayed help to build up the population
Nevada Rush, 1858– Comstock Lode was found and
$300 million in gold was produced in the next twenty years
Effects of the Gold Rush
Towns and communities grew in the mining areas
With people moving to isolated area, better transportation was needed.
Stagecoach lines; pony express (mail from Missouri to California in 10 days)
Pony Express
Between St. Joseph, MO and Sacramento Ca.
Apr 3, 1860 to October 1861100 stations, 25 miles apart; 80 riders,
400-500 horsesEach rider covered 75 miles/day
Age of the CowboyOnce the Indians were removed, the
land opened up for cattle and cowboysBeef cattle became very profitableNeeded to get them from Texas to the
northern markets
Cattle Drives
Began in 1866 from Texas to MissouriLater, railroad extended to Abilene,
KSCattle herded along the Chisholm
Trail –4 million head between 1867 and 1879
Immigrants flock to America
Prior to 1871, most immigrants to America came from northern and western Europe
Germany; Great Britain; IrelandNorway and Sweden
Between 1871 and 1921 most came from southern and eastern Europe
Italy, Greece, Poland, Russia, and Hungary and Yugoslavia
Also, from Asia (China and Japan)
Contributions of Immigrants
Chinese and Irish workers helped build the Transcontinental Railroad.
Others worked in textile and steel mills in the Northeast
Clothing industry in New York City
Slavs, Italians, and Poles worked in the coal mines of the East
Worked for low pay and dangerous working conditions to help build America’s industrial strength
Immigrants flock to America
Between 1860 and 1900 almost 14 million immigrants reached the US.
Ellis Island was the East Coast processing point for new immigrants
The “Melting Pot”
They began the process of assimilation into what was termed the American “Melting Pot”
Settled in ethnic neighborhoods in the growing cities
Worked hard to learn EnglishAdopted American customsBecame American citizensPublic schools were essential in
establishing the melting pot
Opposition to Immigration
Fear and resentment that immigrants would take jobs for lower pay than Americans
Resentment was based on religious and cultural differences
Legislation to Limit Immigration
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 Immigration Restriction Act of 1921Cut off most immigration to America
for the next several decades
Growth of cities
As the nation’s industrial growth continued many cities grew rapidly:
Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and New York City
With the growth of cities came factories, and harsh living conditions in crowded tenements and slums.
Also caused housing shortages and the need for new public services: sewage and water systems and public transportation
Push (Reasons to leave)
Religious/Political PersecutionAgricultural povertyRelaxation of emigration laws
Pull (Reasons to Come)
Promise of Freedom and hopeFamily/Friends NetworkNeed for and Recruitment of labor
Immigrant Contributions
They broadened cultural life of America through
–New music–New languages–Diverse religious beliefs–Variety of foods and customs
Famous Immigrants
Irving Berlin: Composer, wrote “God Bless America”
George and Ira Gershwin: composersEnrico Fermi: ScientistAlbert Einstein: Scientist
Between the Civil War and World War I, the US was transformed from a mostly agricultural nation to most urban and industrial nation.
Technological revolution changed the way people worked, played, traveled and communicated
A new power source and production methods stimulated the expansion of industry
Transforming America
Technological change spurred the growth of industry primarily in northern cities
Inventions/Inventors
Light Bulb – Thomas EdisonTelephone – Alexander Graham BellAirplane – Wright BrothersAssembly Line – Henry FordBessemer Process – Converted iron
ore into steel with less labor
Industrial Leaders
Andrew Carnegie – Steel industry J. P. Morgan – Railroad and US Steel John D. Rockefeller – Standard Oil
CompanyCornelius Vanderbilt - Railroad