Industrialization/Immigration/Urban America
Power struggles among businesses became tough, every American corporation was trying to industrialize and through industrializing, machine power was created. I portray this picture as the struggle between companies just to stay a float among the Rockefeller's and the Vanderbilt's. As you can see the man in the bottom right corner is holding up this pyramid of hierarchy, one that he is the bottom of. This defines the time of industrialization, immigration, and urbanization within America.
Political
1.) New systems provided essential city services in return for political power. Political machines were organizations linked to a political party that often controlled local government. Party bosses were the leaders of political machines, and they controlled the finances of the machines. Party bosses accepted bribes, also. The New York Democratic political machine played a major role in controlling New York City politics and helping the new immigrants rise up in politics.
2.)When Immigrants came to the U.S., they were eventually required to take whats called a "Literacy Test". The "Literacy Test" is used to test immigrants English skills and knowledge. it would determine whether or not they were allowed to come into the U.S. and become a citizen.
Economic
1.) Vertical integration, a method used by businesses during this time era, is when a business purchases all of the smaller companies below it that eventually help to make the ultimate product (i.e. buying the farm, transportation, packaging companies in the process of making milk). This method saved business a ton of money allowing it to expand and grow.
2.) Horizontal integration, a method used again by businesses, is when a business purchases smaller companies, in the same field of work, that had been beginning to fail or completely crashed and burned. Buying these companies allowed that business to control that market (i.e. Rockefeller buying other railroad companies to great one big monopoly).
Social
1.)Immigration was big during this time period. Immigrants wanting to come to America from other countries had to go to Ellis Island. Ferry boats brought thousands of hopeful immigrants each day, who had to go through certain steps and tests, in order to be permitted into the country. If you were under 16 and you wanted to be permitted into the country, but you were not accompanied by a parent or guardian, you would be put right back on the ferry and sent back home to your native country. You had to get medical exams done, like you had to run u a staircase in six seconds. This test how healthy your heart is and how much your body can withstand. Also, other numerous amounts of medical tests were performed, to check for any disabilities or complications. After these were done, a huge waiting room was the next step, where immigrants had to wait to get interviewed by legal inspectors, where you prove your country of origin, and take the literacy and citizenship tests.
2.)One of the strongest beliefs during this time era was that of individualism. Many Americans believed that no matter how humble your origins were, one could always rise up in society. We saw this with Carnegie, who many immigrants aspired to be (Carnegie was an immigrant himself).
Progress?
Industrialization/ Urban America/ Immigration was a time of progress, within American business (big business tycoons), but was regress within the aspects of civil liberties, working conditions, payroll, quality of life, etc. With big business tycoons such as Rockefeller, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, Morgan, American monopolies began to form and through that we say some of the richest men in history come out of this time era. But, these men (with the slight exception of Carnegie) took advantage of a time era in which there were no regulations on American business. Poor working conditions and poor managerial decisions led to the horrific disasters, one being the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire, where managers locked their employees in the factory from the outside to prevent unions from entering, a fire erupted and with poor conditions inside the factory, nearly everyone died. Events such as this made the industrialization, immigration, and urbanization within America a two faced issue.
How Industrialization/ Urban America/ Immigration leads to Progressivism.
When events such as the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire occur, you know there is bound to be changes made. In the industrialization, urbanization, and immigration of America, employees were treated (sarcasm) to poor working conditions, low wages, abuse, etc. Progressivism sought to change that, by helping the American worker, sooner or later the quality of life within the United States would go up, this was their philosophy, they were out to improve American business, and the people who lived within the U.S.