Growth, Cities, and Immigration: Crash Course US History #25

CrashCourse
15 Aug 201312:44
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThis CrashCourse episode delves into the transformation of America from a rural to an urban society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It discusses the impact of commercial farming, the growth of cities, and the influx of immigrants from various backgrounds. The video also touches on the challenges faced by immigrants, including discrimination and the struggle for citizenship, as well as the urbanization's influence on politics and social reform, shaping the modern industrial America we know today.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The script discusses the transformation of American capitalism and the urbanization of America post-1850.
  • 🌾 Commercial farming in the American West led to the growth of cities due to increased demand for agricultural products.
  • 🏙️ The population boom in cities like New York and Chicago was largely due to immigration, especially after the 1890s.
  • 👨‍🌾 The Homestead Act in the 1890s saw over a million land claims, contributing to the westward movement of the population.
  • 🌆 Urban growth was significant, with 68% of Americans living in cities by 1920, up from 20% in 1880.
  • 💡 Technological advancements like electric lights and moving picture cameras were products of the urban industrial boom.
  • 🌐 Immigration from southern and eastern Europe increased, with immigrants often facing discrimination and 'scientific' theories categorizing them into lower 'races'.
  • 🏛️ The Immigration Restriction League pushed for legislation to limit immigrants, reflecting societal fears and biases.
  • 📖 Mary Antin's writing highlights the immigrant pursuit of opportunity and the reverence for education in America.
  • 🏘️ The Lower East Side of Manhattan became a hub for immigrant communities, leading to the development of tenements.
  • 🚇 The construction of elevated railroads and subways improved city living but also led to increased residential segregation.
Q & A
  • What was the primary reason for the westward movement of people in the late 19th century?

    -The primary reason for the westward movement of people in the late 19th century was the increasing demand for agricultural products due to the growth of cities, which attracted people to participate in what was known as agriculture's golden age.

  • How did the Homestead Act contribute to the population growth in the American west during the 1890s?

    -The Homestead Act contributed to the population growth in the American west by allowing more than a million land claims to be filed, enticing people to move west for the promise of free land and better opportunities.

  • What was the population percentage of urban dwellers in the United States in 1880, and how did it change by 1920?

    -In 1880, 20% of the American population lived in cities. By 1920, this percentage had risen to 68%, reflecting the significant shift from a predominantly rural to largely urban population.

  • Which city was the leading example of urban growth in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

    -New York City was the leading example of urban growth during this period, especially after the consolidation of Manhattan with Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island in 1898.

  • What significant event in Chicago's history is mentioned in the script, and how did it impact the city?

    -The significant event mentioned is the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed much of the city. However, it led to Chicago's rapid rebuilding and growth, making it the second-largest city in America by the 1890s.

  • How did Irish immigrants adapt to life in American cities after the potato famine of the 1840s?

    -Irish immigrants, primarily farmers in their homeland, moved to cities like New York and Boston in America. Men often started as low-wage unskilled laborers, while women worked in factories or as domestic servants, eventually finding more varied job opportunities over time.

  • What was the role of German immigrants in the development of the brewing industry in the United States?

    -German immigrants played a significant role in the brewing industry in the United States, with notable figures like Frederick Pabst, Joseph Schlitz, and Adolphus Busch contributing to the establishment and growth of major breweries.

  • What challenges did immigrants from southern and eastern Europe face upon arriving in the United States in the late 19th century?

    -Immigrants from southern and eastern Europe faced challenges such as discrimination based on new 'scientific' theories that classified them into different races, perceived as fit only for certain kinds of work and predisposed to criminality. They also faced political and religious persecution.

  • What was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, and how did it affect the Chinese immigrant community in the United States?

    -The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a law that suspended Chinese immigration into the United States for ten years. It affected the Chinese immigrant community by limiting their numbers and reinforcing existing discrimination, leading to social and legal struggles for civil rights.

  • How did the urbanization of America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries contribute to the visibility of economic inequality?

    -The urbanization of America during this period led to the rich and poor living in close proximity to each other, making the growing economic inequality visible and a source of concern for both classes. This visibility prompted responses such as the creation of suburbs and the rise of the progressive reform movement.

  • What was the impact of new transportation technologies like elevated railroads and subways on urban life in America?

    -New transportation technologies like elevated railroads and subways helped relieve traffic congestion in cities, but they also led to increased residential segregation and introduced new problems such as pickpocketing. They also facilitated the movement of people to suburbs, reducing the need to live near work.

Outlines
00:00
📚 American Capitalism and Urbanization

The script introduces the topic of American capitalism and its evolution with a humorous exchange, highlighting the transition from rural to urban life in the U.S. The presenter, John Green, discusses the growth of cities post-1850, driven by agricultural demand and the Homestead Act, which saw a significant population increase in states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. The script also touches on the transformation of America into an industrial power with the rise of cities and the advent of new technologies like electric lights and moving picture cameras.

05:02
🌆 Immigration and Urban Growth in America

This paragraph delves into the impact of immigration on urban growth in America, particularly in the late 19th century. It describes the experiences of Irish and German immigrants, their contributions to the workforce, and the rise of industries like brewing. The script also addresses the challenges faced by immigrants from southern and eastern Europe, the Chinese Exclusion Act, and the legal battles for equal rights. The global context of immigration during the period is highlighted, showing that the U.S. was part of a broader movement of people seeking better opportunities.

10:06
🏘️ The Transformation of Urban Life and Social Issues

The final paragraph examines the living conditions in urban areas during the 19th century, focusing on tenements and the challenges they posed, such as overcrowding and poor sanitation. It discusses the role of transportation advancements like elevated railroads and subways in shaping urban landscapes and contributing to residential segregation. The script also touches on the visibility of economic disparity in cities, the emergence of suburbs, and the rise of the progressive reform movement as responses to urban issues. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on how these historical developments have shaped modern industrial America.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and the creation of goods and services for profit. In the video, the theme of American capitalism is explored through the lens of historical development and its impact on society, including the creation of wealth and the exploitation of labor.
💡Bourgeoisie
The bourgeoisie refers to the social class that owns the means of production and employs labor in a capitalist society. The script humorously personifies the narrator as a member of this class, owning a chalkboard, video camera, and other means of production, indicating the class divide and the power dynamics in a capitalist system.
💡Homestead Act
The Homestead Act of 1862 was a law in the United States that allowed citizens to claim up to 160 acres of undeveloped land, usually in the West, for a small fee. The script mentions the Act in the context of the westward expansion and the increase in land claims during the 1890s, illustrating the government's role in facilitating westward migration and agricultural development.
💡Urbanization
Urbanization is the process by which the population moves from rural to urban areas. The video discusses the significant shift from a predominantly rural to an urban society in the United States, with statistics showing the increase in the percentage of city dwellers from 20% in 1880 to 68% by 1920, highlighting the transformative impact of industrialization.
💡Immigration
Immigration is the movement of people into a new country or region to which they are not native. The script explores various waves of immigration to the United States, from the Irish and Germans in the 19th century to the influx of people from southern and eastern Europe by the 1890s, emphasizing the demographic shifts and cultural diversity that immigration brought to American cities.
💡Industrialization
Industrialization is the period of social and economic change that transformed agricultural societies into industrial ones. The video connects industrialization with the growth of cities and the demand for agricultural products, as well as the invention of new technologies like electric lights and moving picture cameras, illustrating the profound changes in production, work, and daily life.
💡Tenements
Tenements are large, multi-story buildings containing multiple separate apartments, often with shared facilities. The script describes tenements as a result of the influx of immigrants and the need for housing in urban areas, noting their unsanitary and crowded conditions, which led to city regulations for better living standards.
💡Progressive Reform Movement
The Progressive Reform Movement was a political and social movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries aimed at addressing social and political issues, including urban problems, economic inequality, and corruption. The video mentions this movement as a response to the challenges of urbanization and industrialization, indicating a shift towards social activism and policy change.
💡Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a United States federal law that suspended Chinese immigration for ten years. The script discusses this act as an example of anti-immigrant sentiment and discrimination, noting the impact on Chinese immigrants and the legal battles they faced for rights and recognition.
💡Gilded Age
The Gilded Age refers to the late 19th century in the United States, characterized by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and significant social inequality. The video uses this term to describe the era when the rich and the poor lived in close proximity in cities like New York, highlighting the stark contrast between wealth and poverty and the visibility of economic disparities.
💡Suburbs
Suburbs are residential areas or communities located outside and adjacent to a city. The script briefly mentions the creation of suburbs as a response to urban problems, allowing the wealthy to distance themselves from the poverty and congestion of the cities, reflecting a broader trend in urban development and social stratification.
Highlights

John Green discusses the transformation of American capitalism and his own role as a member of the bourgeoisie.

The humorous depiction of the hardships faced by employees in contrast to the privileges of the bourgeoisie.

A historical overview of commercial farming's impact on the American west, including the creation of cowboy myths and Indian reservations.

The population growth in American cities post-1850 and the shift from a predominantly rural to an urban society.

The Homestead Act's role in the westward expansion and the significant increase in land claims during the 1890s.

The rise of cities due to increased demand for agricultural products, exemplified by the growth of New York and Chicago.

Immigration as a key factor in urban growth, with a focus on the experiences of Irish and German immigrants in the United States.

The impact of the potato famine on Irish immigration and their adaptation to urban life in America.

The role of German immigrants in American entrepreneurship, particularly in the brewing industry.

The shift in immigration patterns by the 1890s, with a focus on immigrants from southern and eastern Europe.

The challenges faced by new immigrants, including discrimination and the influence of 'scientific' theories on their social status.

The Chinese Exclusion Act and its implications for Chinese immigrants in the United States.

The Supreme Court cases that challenged discrimination against Chinese immigrants and their outcomes.

The global context of immigration during the period of industrialization, with a comparison of immigration patterns in the U.S. and other parts of the Western Hemisphere.

The living conditions in tenements and the impact of new transportation technologies on urban life.

The emergence of suburbs and the progressive reform movement as responses to urban challenges.

The conclusion that modern industrial America's shape was influenced by urbanization, mechanization, capitalism, and the distribution of resources.

Transcripts
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