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Experience of USA immigrants in the reconstruction period

The reconstruction period in America occurred between 1870 and 1880 after a long period of civil war. The gilded age was the period between the 1870s and the twentieth century. During this age massive development of industrial production attracted thousands of immigrants. It was an age that was filled with economic prosperity but a lot of social problems were experienced. The Gilded age was an era full of social problems disguised by thin gold gilding (Hakim, 60).There was expansive construction of railroads. Most of the immigrants came from southern and eastern Europe. They moved from countries such as Italy, Greece, Poland, Russia, and present day Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro.

Immigrants were optimistic that they would acquire well-paying jobs, enjoy proper living conditions and contribute to the social, political and economic growth of America. Different immigrants on their arrival settled in different geographical locations. Some immigrants moved to the urban areas where numerous industrial activities took place (Grummet, 35). Others moved to rural settlements in search of greener pastures. Occupationally there was diversification among the immigrants. Some moved to railroads construction. The Chinese were behind the construction of the transcontinental railroad which opened up the far west mining and ranching regions (Grummet, 70). Some immigrants worked in the steel mills in the northeast and others in the New York clothing industry. Italians and poles worked in the coalmines in the east.

The American immigrants had numerous expectations. They had expectations to prosper and be part and parcel of the American development and prosperity. As the immigrants moved from their native countries they had a vision of getting completely assimilated into the American nation (Hakim, 88). They expected proper working and living conditions, equal pay and opportunities. The immigrants were more than eager to learn the English language, adopt American culture and customs and hence become full citizens of America. They also anticipated that their children would be incorporated into the American education system.

Contrary to their expectations of getting the best in this new environment, they received the worst. USA immigrants faced numerous hardships and in the period they were in America. According to Upton Sinclair in his book the jungle “there was rampant discrimination against immigrant in almost every activity”. Despite providing labor and expertise, these immigrants were exposed to a lot of sufferings and oppression. In their work places they received meager wages which were low compared to the natives. They were highly exploited in their workplaces. They worked for long hours in They survived in horrible living conditions (Hakim, p. 60).

Despite the sufferings experienced in the new environment, the immigrants had to adapt. With the support of civil activists in America they were able to overcome oppression against them. They strived hard and eventually they were assimilated into America. They made numerous contributions to the social, economic and political fields. USA immigrants during the reconstruction period contributed heavily to the industrial growth of America (Hakim, p. 55).

To sum up, the immigrants made a long journey. It started from discrimination, oppression and hate to assimilation into the American system. Their contributions are indelible and worth reckoning.

Works cited

Grummet Hall. Reconstruction era. Detroit: Thomas Gale Corporation, 2005

Hakim Joy. A history of USA, Reconstructing America. New York. Oxford university press,

2003

Sinclair Upton. The jungle. Pennsylvania: Pennsylvanian State University, 1991.