Lecture Notes: AP U.S. History - Unit 6, Topic 8: Immigration and Migration (1865-1898)

Summary:

This lecture elaborates on the cultural and economic factors that influenced patterns of immigration and migration in the United States from 1865 to 1898. There’s a clear distinction made between immigration (movement between countries) and migration (movement within a country). Major highlights include the influx of immigrants from Europe and Asia, and the significant internal movement known as the Exoduster Movement.

Key Points:

Immigration (1865-1898):

• The U.S. population tripled due in part to immigration, with approximately 16 million new arrivals.
• Major sources of immigrants:
  • Europe: People from the British Isles, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe. Push factors included poverty, overcrowding, and religious persecution.
  • Asia: Primarily Chinese immigrants who continued to arrive in significant numbers, especially to the West Coast.
• Settlement Patterns:
  • Many European immigrants settled in industrial cities like Chicago, Pittsburgh, and New York.
  • Asian immigrants, particularly Chinese, settled in the West Coast states.
• Impact on Urban Areas:
  • Urban demographics shifted as middle and upper classes moved away from city centers, leaving behind working-class and impoverished neighborhoods.
  • Immigrants often lived in poor conditions in overcrowded tenements, facing health issues like cholera and tuberculosis.
  • Despite hardships, immigrants established cultural enclaves, re-creating their community structures through churches, synagogues, and ethnic businesses.

Migration (1865-1898):

• Exoduster Movement:
  • Around 40,000 Black southerners moved to Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado in response to rising persecution in the South post-Reconstruction.
  • Organizations like the Colored Relief Board and the Kansas Freedmen’s Aid Society supported this migration.
  • Many black migrants faced challenges in acquiring land due to prior claims by railroad speculators.

Economic and Social Contributions:

• Immigrants and migrants contributed significantly to the labor force in both industrial and agricultural sectors.
• Establishment of banks, political organizations, and small businesses by immigrants helped in preserving their cultural identities and supporting their communities.

Challenges Faced:

• Immigrants and migrants dealt with significant societal challenges including discrimination, poor living conditions, and limited economic opportunities.
• The rise in population due to immigration led to changes in urban landscapes, with significant impacts on social and economic structures of the cities.

Conclusion:

The period from 1865 to 1898 was marked by significant movements of people both to and within the United States, driven by various cultural and economic factors. These movements had profound effects on the demographics, economy, and social structures of American cities and the nation as a whole. Understanding these patterns helps illuminate the complexities of American history during the Gilded Age and the challenges of integration and community building faced by immigrants and migrants alike.