Final answer:
During the Gilded Age, immigration led to increased job competition, rapid urbanization, and growth in cultural diversity, which further sparked nativist sentiments. Immigrants contributed to the workforce but also endured overcrowded living conditions and heightened social tensions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The increase in immigration during the Gilded Age had several profound effects on American society and its economic landscape. One of the most significant impacts was on the labor market. Immigrants, often willing to work for lower wages and in harsher conditions, intensified job competition, making it challenging for native-born laborers. For instance, in Lowell, Massachusetts, native-born women faced competition from Irish immigrants, which ultimately pushed many native-born workers out of factories.
The influx of immigrants also contributed to the rapid urbanization as they sought jobs in burgeoning cities. This urban migration fostered the growth of industrial centers around resources like coal and iron. However, the concentration of immigrants in cities sometimes resulted in overcrowded living conditions, with tenement housing becoming common and creating concerns about sanitation and crime.
Cultural diversity and nativism also rose sharply during this time. The arrivals brought new customs, foods, and religions, enlarging the Roman Catholic population substantially. This diversity prompted anxiety among native-born Americans, leading to an increase in racial animosity and a defensive reaction that sought to preserve traditional religious values and cultural homogeneity. Nevertheless, this era was also marked by an expansion in democracy and grassroots protest against corruption and corporate power, underlining the complex nature of the Gilded Age.