Final answer:
Immigration is the movement of people to a new country, and urbanization is the movement from rural areas to cities. Immigrants settled in large cities for factory work and formed ethnic communities for cultural and economic support, despite facing discrimination and stringent legislation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Immigration and Urbanization Explained
Immigration refers to the process by which people move from one country to another, often with the intent of settling permanently in the new country. Urbanization, on the other hand, is the movement of people from rural areas to cities, often associated with the growth of factories and other urban jobs.
Why Immigrants Settled in Large Cities
During the Industrial Era, many immigrants settled in large cities because of the abundant job opportunities in factories, which were necessitated by advancements in technology and the industrial economy. These jobs often required the workforce to live near industrial centers, leading to rapid urban growth.
Immigrants formed ethnic communities, such as "little Italy" and "little Poland", maintaining their cultural identities while seeking economic stability. Anti-immigration legislation and discrimination challenged the immigrants, but the necessity to find work and the desire for a better life fueled their urban settlements.
Furthermore, the demographic shifts following the Civil War saw African Americans moving to urban centers to escape the racism in the South. The immigrants, lacking funds to purchase western lands, remained in cities engaging in any available labor.
Newspapers, shops, and cultural celebrations emerged, enriching the cultural tapestry of American cities and promoting further urbanization.