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EodE 7: CtE

ntroduCton

Between 1880 and 1930, nearly 24 million new immigrants arrive

in the United States. Many go to work building a new rontier:

the modern city. The high cost o land in cities like New York and

Chicago means the only way to build is up. A new kind o building,

the skyscraper, is made possible by steel. Produced on a massive

scale, steel production underpins the inrastructure o the modern ci

This new urban rontier depends on the labor o rural migrants and

newly arrived immigrant workers to grow. For many, the Statue

o Liberty is their frst sight o the New World and Ellis Island

is the gateway to the American Dream. The lawless city oersopportunities or many and astronomical wealth or a ew. Police

chie Thomas Byrnes uses his harsh new innovation “the third

degree,” to keep a lid on crime.

The millions ocking to urban areas o the U.S. oten experience

terrible conditions in disease-ridden tenements. Jacob Riis,

photographer and reormer, brings their plight to the world with

his groundbreaking photographs in the book “How the Other Hal

Lives.” Workers in new high-rise actories become urban martyrs in

New York City’s Triangle Shirtwaist actory fre in March o 1911, as th

city struggles to make these new buildings sae. Powered by steeland electricity, the city begins to be tamed and defned by mass

transportation, stunning skylines, electric light...and the industrious

American spirit.

tErm to Know:

Beore or ater watching this episode,

encourage students to defne and

review the terms below. Students

may also want to make their own

lists o new vocabulary words and

identifcation terms as they watch.

Audacious

Filament

Irrevocable

Molten

Rogue

Tenement

Unscrupulous

Veritable

America The Story of Us is useful for American

History, Social Studies, and Media courses. It is

appropriate for 7th grade students and above,

and is an excellent resource for professional 

development.

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dCuon QuEton:

1. What was the Bessemer steel converter? How did this invention shape

U.S. history?

2. Why do you think so many everyday Americans contributed money to help build

the Statue o Liberty?

3. What was the “rogues’ gallery” and what was its importance? What were some

o the other methods used to curb crime?

4. What was the key actor in Thomas Edison’s success in designing the light

bulb? What were some o the new things that were possible because o this

invention?

5. Why do you think the Triangle Shirtwaist fre happened? What were some o

the results o this tragedy?

AmErCA thE tory of u Epise 7: Ciies 2

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1. What do you think the phrase “world-wide welcome” means

in relation to immigration in the U.S.? What are some other

phrases rom this poem that are meaningul?

2. Why do you think this poem is considered an American

classic today?

Ea Lazas e e llig pe i 1883; a is egave a plaqe i e ae Libe se.

Lazas as a iiga e u.. becae aavcae e iigas aivig e ses e s ie.

dCuon QuEton:

Primary Source:

T h e  N e w Colos s u s  

N  t  ik   t bra zn  gia n t  f  G rk   f a m,

wi t cnqrin g  imb a  trid   f rm  a nd   t  a nd ;

h r a  t r a -a d , n t  ga  t a     ta nd 

A  mi g t y  ma n i t a   trc,   a m

I   t im prind   i g tnin g, a nd  r na m

M  tr  f  e xi . F rm r ba cn-a nd 

G   r d -id   cm; r mi d   y  cmma nd 

T  a ir-brid  gd  a rbr  ta  t  tin ci ti  f ra m.

 “K  p a ncin t  a nd ,  y r  trid   pm p!” cri 

wi t i n t  i p.  “G i v  m  y r  tird ,  y r  pr,

Y r d d  d  ma   y a rnin g  t bra  t  f r,

T  r tcd  r f   f   y r  tmin g r.

s nd   t,  t m ,  tm p t- t t  t m,

I   i f  t m y   a m p bid   t  g d n d r!” 

furthEr ExLorAton:

What else was going on during this timeperiod? Explore the sites below to learnmore about the era o U.S. history covere

in this episode.

rea e ab e recsci eu.. is.igialis..e/ecsciie.l

Lea ab e daes Ac 1887.ces.gv/c.pp?as=l&c=50

Aiial backg Ellis sla.is.c/pics/ellis-isla

te isia’s Ai a pace mseeae e wig Bes a ea

aviai.as.si.e/igbes

LACE to Vt:

Interested in what you saw in this episodVisiting historic sites is a great way orteachers, students, and amilies to learn about the past. Explore these historic sitor look or local historic sites in your towcity to visit.

te ae Libe naial me.ps.gv/sli/ie.

te Cicag his mse.cicags.g

te tas Eis naial hisical .ps.gv/eis/ie.

AmErCA thE tory of u Epise 7: Ciies 3