The 1st set of data entries

The 1^st set of data entries

Entry 1

Southern Italian immigrants were generally poor and considered people outside their families as foreigners. There were bachelors who moved to the United States to work in order to purchase land in their countries of original and, therefore, had no intention of being assimilated in the American culture. Others moved in as families and intended to stay. Nativism was rampant with most Americans viewing these immigrants as forest creatures. Some Americans claimed they could not make good citizens and should, therefore, be banned. Charitable organizations complained they depleted their resources (Stevens, Kermode & Richardson, 1997). They were viewed as racially inferior with problems like crime and immorality being associated to their physical appearance. Laborers and workers were against them claiming they undermined their wages since they feared being replaced. Employers were also concerned about their radicalism. Almost the entire American population was against these immigrants claiming they acquire nothing from their work and should, therefore, be restricted.

Entry 2

Historians had different views regarding whether southern Italians assimilated into the American lifestyle or not. Some historians claimed that they did not assimilate but were rather broken in experiencing the strange beliefs, languages, mannerisms, and culture practices of the American people. This brokenness led to increased crime rates, broken families, and a disorderly people and communities (Stevens, Kermode & Richardson, 1997). However, other historians claimed they adapted through modifying some of their traditional practices to match-up, creating new practices, or adopting those of the American by adapting their behavioral and cultural practices. Emphasis on traditional and cultural practices causes citizens of a country to forget we all belong to a similar country and our ethnic diversity should be used for economic and social development rather than destruction. Despite our diversity, unity is important.

Entry 3

Americans who were against immigrants claimed they overcrowded cities causing problems in housing, health sectors, increased crime rates and immorality. Most American cities started as trading centers with industrialization spurring their growth and development to huge metropolis. National transportation networks had the greatest impact in growth of cities which continually increased population concentration in urban centers. This increase was by immigrants who contributed close to half of it (Stevens, Kermode & Richardson, 1997). Eastern and southern European immigrants had no resources to facilitate travelling to agricultural regions leading to rampant rise of ethnic neighborhoods that were occupied by diverse immigrants. Most immigrants settled in their ancestral regions which led to crowding, unhealthy, and crime-infested neighborhoods. There were also high rates of poverty, slum development, substandard education levels, and general low standards of living.

Entry 4

State tenement house law was created to control housing in the city of New York. This was followed by the law limiting space covered by buildings and plumbing and ventilation standards to be observed during construction. These laws resulted from problems associated with increased urbanization in cities. Sanitation was strained with rivers being polluted by sewerage wastes hence contaminating drinking water. Garbage pilled on streets while cities were faced with traffic congestion. Huge influx of people led to construction of housing buildings that were substandard and occupied any available space hence leaving very limited space surrounding buildings. These led to increase in diseases and separation of families. There was also increasing crime rates, immorality rate, and public misconduct among others. Citizens were living in horrible health, economic and social situations which required leaders to come up with ways of curbing this menace (Stevens, Kermode & Richardson, 1997).

Entry 5

Increasing urbanization in many United States cities led to cholera attacking most of the citizens in many cities. Symptoms were abdominal pains, unending diarrhea, dehydration, kidney failure and eventually death. This disease and its symptoms was new to the United States with speculations of it being communicable leading to infected being secluded from others while cities being closed from access by infected communities. Cholera outbreaks were mostly in the immigrants’ neighborhoods therefore most Americans blamed them fueling ethnic barriers and nativism. The overcrowding of cities led to pollution of water sources and rivers which led to the disease outbreak that medical practitioner had no cure for. Prevention was the only measure with cities cleaning up cisterns, collecting garbage, and pumping clean water from reservoirs.

Entry 6

Immigration had its share of advantages in improving the social life of all diverse citizens of the United States. There was development and increase in art and intellectual centers in cities as well as the increase in number of breweries. Immigrant neighborhoods which were generally overcrowded had many saloons where people would meet to socialize and discuss topics of interest to them. Discovery of games like golf and tennis considered to healthy for the mind and body which slowly replaced sports (Stevens, Kermode & Richardson, 1997). Development of picnic grounds, amusement parks, and spectacular sports. Spectacular sports included horse-back racing, and professional boxing among others which flourished since large population supported them through watching. The development of baseball, football, and basketball to what they are today was due to urbanization that led to organized amateur teams during the 1840s era.

Entry 7

Church leaders had traditionally played a major role in elevating lives of people of different social status. They had preached hope to the poor and virtues to the well-off emphasizing on the role everyone plays in determining their future. However, this trend changed with church leaders completely ignoring the social problems of slum dwellers. Some claimed poverty was a Godly act for which they had no remedy while others said that it was only experienced by people when is it their sin but otherwise were strongly convicted that no man suffered from it. Christians had hence completely ignored the plight of the poor (Stevens, Kermode & Richardson, 1997).

However, there were few clergymen who preached a social gospel that believed people needed better and improved standards of living rather than salvation. The poor conditions of slums were responsible for crime, immorality, social misconducts and addiction of people to them. Improving living standards and ensuring people had all necessary basic needs would ensure they led holy sin-free lives.

Entry 8

Settlement houses were developed to deal with slum problems. They provided guidance and services to those who needed them and were located in poor regions. Workers were mostly women, young and they lived in these houses and were involved in community affairs. Workers gained from this experience since learnt other diverse ways of life and were fully equipped with intellectual skills that would otherwise not be taught in schools. Settlement workers fought for implementation of tenement house laws, better schools, established playgrounds, and found good foster homes for abandoned children among others (Stevens, Kermode & Richardson, 1997). Cultural programs like art and music classes were developed in an attempt to save neglected children from the streets. Small or huge contributions by settlement workers or citizens to improve lives of the poor show that they realized most slum and poor neighborhood dwellers were faced by serious social and practical problems. There were few criticisms on settlement houses as some people thought them as ways of teaching the poor the lifestyle and activities of upper-class. There were generally accepted by many due to the significant impact they had on improving lives of poor immigrants.

Entry 9

Civilization brought about many benefits for the people of the United States. However, there are several negative impacts especially regarding the value human of life that raise doubt in the extent of industrialization and civilization in human advancement. Income disparity increased leading to gap between the rich and poor widening. Social problems like crime in the poor neighborhoods increased (Stevens, Kermode & Richardson, 1997). The rich have worshipped their wealth hence corroding human value for life of all people regardless of our diversity. Civilization has focused on development of a few and oppressed others in attainment of industrialization. It has also resulted to increased heart disease and mental illness due to societal pressure to keep up appearances and demanding methods of doing business that cause tension. There was increased lawlessness with no regard to rights of other people by leaders in authority. They focused more on their own progress and hence violated rights of the minorities.

Entry 10

Over the years, society has over emphasized on the need to win in all aspects of our lives. However, there are arguments as to whether winning is everything. University of California insisted on winning intercollegiate football. The state of California had cut back funding of the university but faculty and staff raised to cover deficits incurred by intercollegiate athletics program. Therefore, this contribution by staff is what pushed them to demand victory from athletes (Stevens, Kermode & Richardson, 1997). Over time, the fastness and roughness of the game attracted more audience but eventually players were seriously injured to extent of death in some cases. Some university heads in different universities supported the notion that winning had a price and people should be willing to sacrifice their lives for commercial gain. However, winning is not everything especially if it violates the sanctity of life for material gain. Material things will always be there and other ways can be used in acquiring them but human life is valuable and once it departs there is no return.

Reference

Stevens, W., Kermode, F., & Richardson, J. (1997). Collected poetry and prose (Vol. 96). New    York, NY: Library of America.

 

Last Completed Projects

Are you looking for a similar paper or any other quality academic essay? Then look no further. Our research paper writing service is what you require. Our team of experienced writers is on standby to deliver to you an original paper as per your specified instructions with zero plagiarism guaranteed. This is the perfect way you can prepare your own unique academic paper and score the grades you deserve.

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]