Symbiotic Relationship
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A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP: THE AMERICAN INDUSTRIALISTS AND THE NEW IMMIGRANTS, 1870-1920 A Thesis Presented to the faculty of the Department of History California State University, Sacramento Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in History by Anthony R. Folcarelli SPRING 2013 ©2013 Anthony R. Folcarelli ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP: THE AMERICAN INDUSTRIALISTS AND THE NEW IMMIGRANTS, 1870-1920 A Thesis by Anthony R. Folcarelli Approved by: __________________________________, First Reader Patrick Ettinger, Ph.D. __________________________________, Second Reader Scott Lupo, Ph.D. ____________________________ Date iii Student: Anthony R. Folcarelli I certify that this student has met the requirements for format contained in the University format manual, and that this thesis is suitable for shelving in the Library and credit is to be awarded for the thesis. ________________________________ Graduate Coordinator________________ Mona Siegel, Ph.D. Date Department of History iv Abstract of A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP: THE AMERICAN INDUSTRIALISTS AND THE NEW IMMIGRANTS, 1870-1920 by Anthony R. Folcarelli During the period of 1870-1920, America was transformed into an industrial nation and elevated itself to the status of being a world power economically, politically, and militarily. With an abundance of coal and iron ore, the United States moved slowly and deliberately toward achieving self-sufficiency in the production of iron, steel, and associated products. These industries laid the foundation for a broad transformation in the manufacturing of a variety of goods. Two major forces came together to play essential partnership roles necessary for the extraordinary production of iron and steel. Private entrepreneurs organized capital to acquire and develop mines and mills. They required an abundant supply of labor in order to manage labor costs as they sought to satisfy the growing demand from America's expanding manufacturing sector. Millions of immigrants, predominantly from Southern and Eastern Europe, immigrated to the United States between 1870 and 1920, moving in large numbers into unskilled positions in these key industries. These immigrants were eager to join the industrial revolution for jobs, increased wages, and economic riches. v This thesis draws on extensive primary and secondary sources to demonstrate a direct correlation in the production of iron and steel, the inflow and increase of immigrant labor, and the rise of production. Immigrant laborers and entrepreneurs in the mining and steel industries established a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship that served the economic needs of each. _______________________, First Reader Patrick Ettinger, Ph.D. _______________________ Date vi DEDICATION To my wife Diane whose unwavering support, patience, continuous encouragement, and love made this challenging adventure a rewarding one. vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to the many professors in the California State University at Sacramento Department of History for their exciting seminars, required readings, and shared knowledge which has enriched my life. I am particularly grateful to those who assisted me in the fulfillment of my desire to produce this thesis. Dr. Patrick Ettinger whose steadfast encouragement, support, patience, and editing guided the thesis to its completion. I also wish thank Dr. Scott Lupo who, at a critical part in the process, gave generously of this time and skills to help me organize the composition as a logical, unified argument. I am grateful to Dr. Mona Siegel whose guidance throughout the program and the completion of this thesis was superb. Dr. Tom Adams, although not a member of the faculty, was an invaluable mentor who provided additional assistance, guidance, and editing. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Dedication ......................................................................................................................... vii Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................... viii List of Tables ................................................................................................................... xiii List of Figures .................................................................................................................. xiii Chapter Page 1. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................1 2. AN OVERVIEW OF THE ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION IN THE UNITED STATES, 1870-1920........................................................................................................7 Railroads ..................................................................................................................8 Manufacturing ........................................................................................................10 The Growth of a Military Power ............................................................................14 The Creation of the Atlantic Freeway ....................................................................15 The Growth of the Modern City:Transformation of a Rural to Urban Society .....17 The Social Revolution of Personal Transportation: The Automobile ...................22 The Tin Can ...........................................................................................................23 3. LEGISLATIVE AND COMMERCIAL INITIATIVES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING IMMIGRATION OF FOREIGN LABOR INTO THE AMERICAN ECONOMY ...................................................................................................................26 Legislation and Political Actions in the Fulfillment of Hamilton's Guidelines .....32 4. DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSFORMATION WHICH CAUSED A RADICAL CHANGE IN THE ETHNIC AND RACIAL COMPOSITION OF THE COAL, IRON, AND STEEL INDUSTRIES WORK FORCE: 1870-1920 .....................................................35 ix The Civil War and the Loss of a Viable Labor Supply..........................................37 Birth Rate Decline and Population ........................................................................38 5. ACCEPTANCE OF WORKING AND LIVING CONDITIONS BY NEW IMMIGRANTS ..............................................................................................................44 Accidents and Deaths .............................................................................................45 Working Conditions and the Native Worker's Discrimination ..............................53 Living and Housing Conditions .............................................................................56 6. ATTRIBUTES THAT MADE THE NEW IMMIGRANTS AN APPEALING LABOR FORCE FOR AMERICAN MANAGEMENT AND INDUSTRY...............................61 Literate or Illiterate -- No Matter ...........................................................................64 Tractable ................................................................................................................66 Eager and Desperate Job Seekers ..........................................................................66 Mobility..................................................................................................................68 Endurance and Physical Strength...........................................................................69 Stable Work Force .................................................................................................71 Piecework ...............................................................................................................73 Unorganized Labor ................................................................................................76 Financially Indebted Worker .................................................................................78 Frugal .....................................................................................................................81 Cheap Labor ...........................................................................................................82 7. SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP: THE BENEFIT TO THE INDUSTRIALIST ..........86 Coal Production and Ethnic Composition of the Work Force ...............................88 x Iron Ore Mining and the Ethnic Composition of the Work Force .........................94 Iron and Steel Production and the Ethnic Composition of the Work Force ..........96 8. SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP:THE BENEFIT TO THE NEW IMMIGRANT ......103 Immigrant Banks ..................................................................................................105 Remittances ..........................................................................................................107 Property ................................................................................................................108 The New Entrepreneurs .......................................................................................110 9. CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................112 Bibliography ....................................................................................................................115 xi LIST OF TABLES Tables Page 1. Growth of the Textile Fabric Industry in America, 1859-1914.................................13 2. The Dramatic Shift in the Production of Tinplate and Terne Plate: 1895-1920........25 3. Immigration and White Population Demographics of America: 1790-1920.............40