CONTENT STATEMENT
Immigration, internal migration and urbanization transformed American life.
CONTENT ELABORATION
Mass immigration at the turn of the 20th century made the country more diverse and transformed American life. Effects of mass immigration included:
- filling a demand for workers;
- diffusion of ethnic traits into American culture;
- impacting the growth of cities; and
- increased nativist sentiment.
Internal migration contributed to the growth of urban areas. Many people left their farms for the cities seeking greater job opportunities.
The Great Migration was the mass movement of African Americans who fled the rural South for the urban North. They sought to escape discrimination and secure better-paying jobs. The Great Migration helped transform northern cities economically (e.g., as workers and consumers) and culturally (e.g., art, music, and literature).
Urbanization transformed the physical nature of cities including:
- buildings becoming taller and tenement buildings providing housing for working families;
- increased crime, disease, overcrowding, poor living conditions, and lack of sanitation services;
- the emergence of ethnic neighborhoods;
- improvements in public transportation; and
- a growing middle class that could easily commute for employment and leisure activities.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Analyze how immigration, internal migration and urbanization transformed American life.