USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The buildings themselves were usually five to seven stories high and divided into multiple living spaces. Families who lived in the tenements were crammed into 300-400 square foot apartments that featured a single bedroom, kitchen, and a front room for everyone to share.

Detailed explanation-2: -At the turn of the century more than half the population of New York City, and most immigrants, lived in tenement houses, narrow, low-rise apartment buildings that were usually grossly overcrowded by their landlords.

Detailed explanation-3: -During 1850 to 1920, people immigrating to America needed a place to live. Many were poor and needed jobs. The jobs people found paid low wages so many people had to live together. Therefore, tenements were the only places new immigrants could afford.

Detailed explanation-4: -The new groups arriving by the boatload in the Gilded Age were characterized by few of these traits. Their nationalities included Greek, Italian, Polish, Slovak, Serb, Russian, Croat, and others. Until cut off by federal decree, Japanese and Chinese settlers relocated to the American West Coast.