Immigration

Segment by: Laura Mansfield, Sara Porter, Sara Weber, Cassie Cervantes, Alex Garthrite and Megan Murphy


 * __Immigration__**

Immigration during the Industrial Reveolution was very troublesome for foreigners. Many people had a very hard time obtaining residence in the United State, due to crippiling laws and regulations. All of this, to the residents of America was horrible and most fought against immigration.

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After completing this Learning Quest, you will understand the major concepts and themes of the Gilded Age in American history. Check your understanding of these ideas by considering the following essential questions: Conditions that existed in the United States which allowed the Industrial Revolution to take root and flourish in America include many natural resources, labor, and people who had great ideas. Laissez-faire capitalism influenced the development of business organization in the United States by letting businesses choose what wanted to do. The leaders of Big Business were both “robber barons” and “captains of industry” because they both were good at what they did even if it wasn’t considered morally right. For example, a monopoly. Some philosophies believed that the wealthy shouldn’t interact with the poor or those with less money. The Industrial Revolution caused urbanization and a dramatic increase in the number of immigrants to the United States because there was a promise of work and more and more people were crowding into larger cities. Urbanization and immigration had a great effect on the United States by building larger cities and changing daily life in the city and the increase of railroads which provided quicker transportation for people and goods. Many historians considered the late 1800’s in America to be a gilded age because outwardly there were many jobs but inwardly workers were not paid well and were almost free laborers. Early reaction to the Gilded Age attempted to correct the abuses of the period were Chinese Exclusion Act, the Know Nothing Party, and anti-trust acts.
 * Conclusion **
 * What conditions existed in the United States which allowed the Industrial Revolution to take root and flourish in America?
 * How did laissez-faire capitalism influence the development of business organization in the United States?
 * Were the leaders of Big Business "robber barons," or in fact "captains of industry?"
 * How did some philosophies serve to support class division during the Gilded Age?
 * How did the Industrial Revolution cause urbanization and a dramatic increase in the number of immigrants to the United States?
 * What effect did urbanization and immigration have on the United States ?
 * Why have many historians considered the late 1800's in America to be a Gilded Age; a period which was outwardly showy, but inwardly corrupt?
 * How did early reaction to the Gilded Age attempt to correct the abuses of the period?