Call to Order Immigration Day 2 Choose any one of the characters in this photograph. List three details that might have happened on their voyage. Then, list three details about what is about to happen in their lives.

Immigration Urban areas were being filled with immigrants and migrants from rural areas. Began in 1870s, and many left everything they knew to pursue the American Dream

New Immigrants: Many immigrants saw America as the land of opportunity and wealth. A wave of new immigrants came from southern and Eastern Europe, as opposed to Britain, Germany, and Ireland. Many new immigrants sought economic opportunities, while others, like Armenians and Jews, were escaping political and religious persecution.

Push and Pull Factors: Push Reasons why a person would want to leave a place.  Example: Religious persecution Pull Attractions of another place.  Example: Jobs available in America

Immigrant Life: Once in the US, the majority of immigrants settled in large cities where they hoped to find work and others from their homeland. Many immigrants lived in neighborhoods with others who shared their nationality. Immigrant groups published newspapers, owned local shops, and even opened banks.

Urban Life: Urban life was difficult. Many immigrants lived in poorly built, overcrowded apartments called slums. They worked under exhausting conditions and often fell sick and were unemployed. New immigrants encouraged their children to assimilate by learning English.

Immigrant Workers: Many immigrant workers found jobs in cities, where about 90% of all manufacturing in the US took place. The majority of immigrants took low-paying, factory jobs. The typical workweek in the late 1800s consisted of six, 10 hour days and very low wages. Many worked in sweatshops.

Melting Pot The melting pot was the idea that a blend of old cultures would form a unique, new, American culture.

Opposition to Immigration: Among some Americans, there was an opposition to immigrants. “Nativists” argued that the different languages and cultural backgrounds would prevent them from becoming good citizens. They also held many racial and ethnic prejudices. Labor unions feared that immigrants would take the jobs from union members.

The Chinese Exclusion Act Banned Chinese workers for ten years Chinese workers had been employed by various railroad companies and had built the Transcontinental railroad during the California gold rush. White supremacy groups and labor unions feared that the Chinese would take away American jobs.