Final answer:
The influx of new immigrants during the Gilded Age had a significant effect on America in terms of demographics, culture, and the labor market. Prejudice, discrimination, and anti-immigration legislation were common, but immigrants also brought new foods, customs, and religions that enriched American society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The influx of new immigrants during the Gilded Age had a significant effect on America. The arrival of more than 200,000 immigrants each year in cities like New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia led to ethnically segregated neighborhoods, preventing the creation of a multicultural 'composite nation.' Prejudice against immigrants was pervasive, and they were often scapegoated for urban problems. However, immigrants also brought new foods, customs, and religions, enriching American society.
Immigrants faced discrimination and anti-immigration legislation during this period. They competed for jobs with native-born workers and were often willing to work longer hours for lower pay, leading to tensions and hostility. Many immigrants lived in crowded tenements near factories, facing higher rates of crime and lower standards of sanitation. Despite these challenges, immigrant communities provided support and a sense of belonging, helping immigrants preserve their cultures.
The influx of immigrants also had economic implications. Their labor fueled the rapid growth of U.S. productivity, but many immigrants saw urban life as temporary and had little motivation to assimilate or learn English. Instead, they aimed to earn money to eventually purchase land in the nation's interior. Overall, the influx of new immigrants during the Gilded Age shaped America's demographics, culture, and labor market.