In 1900, America experienced high rates of migration. The American citizens were moving from their rural homes to urban areas. In addition, immigrants from countries such as Italy, Germany, Ireland and Poland shifted to America in search of jobs and better conditions for living (Hirschman & Mogford, 2009). Most of these immigrants traveled along with their families to America. During this period, America had realized the industrial success that had enabled the country to improve the working and living condition. As such, the every year, thousands of people flee from rural areas and other parts of Europe to get industrial oriented jobs in American cities (Hirschman & Mogford, 2009). Pursuant to the increased rates of immigrations particularly from the southern and eastern parts of Europe, many cities in America started growing. For instance, the influx of immigrants in New York led the city to become the second highest populated city in the global habiting about 3.5 million people. Other cities such as Philadelphia and Chicago had more than one million residents each.
The streaming of immigrants to America made the country to look colorful owing to the diversity that was apparent in urban areas. Of essence, the county was able to maintain its traditional values since the immigrants were more than willing to be assimilated into the American culture. Nevertheless, as the population continued to increase rapidly, the face of many cities in the nation started to change. The resources of the city became overwhelmed resulting in severe problems in relation to housing, health, and transportation among others. As such, noise, poor sanitation, increased air pollution, and development of slums became a characteristic of many American cities. Apparently, the challenges that cities faced made it difficult for law and order to be maintained (Rodríguez-Pose & Von Berlepsch, 2014). Notably, the public services that were underdeveloped or even nonexistent led to increased poverty rates. Besides, the rates of crime increased and political corruption became rampant in the cities.
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Due to the noted adverse effects of increased population in urban areas, private reform groups opted to construct some inroads. Mass transit was initiated. Besides, skyscrapers became typical of cities while beyond the towns new communities known as suburbs started to be created (Hirschman & Mogford, 2009). This led to an increase in commuting population. Commuting people in this regards refer to a group of individuals who were dwelling in the suburbs but traveling back and forth the city for work. On the other hand, people who dwelled in urban areas resided in rental apartments. For the immigrants’ populations, the neighborhood was a point of community life. As such, the neighborhood tried to embrace the customs and traditions that were deemed precious. Notably, the today’s the United States the neighborhoods still portray such cultural heritages.
During the time of poor wages and the struggle to survive, a change in culture became apparent. The cultural changes were noted in various places such as in games like professional baseball, departmental stores and even in public parks. Getting better-paying jobs had become a problem in cities. Nevertheless, consumption and leisure related activities took over the city residents’ money and time (Rodríguez-Pose & Von Berlepsch, 2014). On the other hand, some Americans also opted for cultural accomplishments. As such, the end of that century saw concert halls, museums, and public libraries being set up in almost all large cities. The intellectual ability of the country was elevated due to the education system that had made public education to be compulsory. Besides, many universities were established, and novel ideas in the fields of science and medicine increased. Concisely, immigration will continue to affect America, but the merits that come along with it will continue to be felt.
References
Hirschman, C., & Mogford, E. (2009). Immigration and the American industrial revolution from 1880 to 1920. Social science research , 38 (4), 897-920.
Rodríguez-Pose, A., & Von Berlepsch, V. (2014). When migrants rule: the legacy of mass migration on economic development in the United States. Annals of the Association of American Geographers , 104 (3), 628-651.
