IMMIGRANTS! Topic 1.4

Where did America’s workers come from during this time of unusual industrial growth? New farm technology decreased the need for farm laborNew farm technology decreased the need for farm labor Former moving to the cities to escape the poor working conditions in rural America, and…Former farmers moving to the cities to escape the poor working conditions in rural America, and… IMMIGRANTS!

Why did they come? PUSHPUSH –Crop failures –Land shortages –Unemployment –Rising taxes –Political persecution –Religious persecution PULLPULL –Homestead Act –Availability of FACTORY JOBS –Personal freedoms –Educational opportunity –Not forced to serve long years in Army –Participation in democratic gov’t

Who was coming to America? st Wave1 st Wave –from central & NW Europe Germany Great Britain Ireland –Looked white, mostly Protestant, blended well

Who was coming to America? nd Wave2 nd Wave –from southern & eastern Europe Italians Jews (mostly Russia) Greeks –Darker skin, different religions, did not blend in as well

Their Journey Late 1880s, steam-powered ships could cross the Atlantic Ocean in 2 to 3 weeksLate 1880s, steam-powered ships could cross the Atlantic Ocean in 2 to 3 weeks week- more powerful steam ships week- more powerful steam ships –Steerage Crossing the Pacific Ocean took much longer- arrangements were similarCrossing the Pacific Ocean took much longer- arrangements were similar

Their Journey 70% came through New York City70% came through New York City –called the “Golden Door” Others came through Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore or San FranciscoOthers came through Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore or San Francisco Physical exams upon entrancePhysical exams upon entrance –Quarantine- a time of isolation to prevent the spread of a disease –Deported

Where Immigrants settled Ghettos-areas in which one ethnic or racial group dominatedGhettos-areas in which one ethnic or racial group dominated Some urban ghettos resulted from restrictive covenantsSome urban ghettos resulted from restrictive covenants Westward migrationWestward migration –Some went to mining towns in the west

Nativism Preferring native-bornPreferring native-born Belief that native-born white Americans are superior to newcomersBelief that native-born white Americans are superior to newcomers

Non-Europeans ChineseChinese –Mid-1800s recruitment to railroads-about quarter of a million Chinese workers –Separate communities –Treated with suspicion –Chinese Exclusion Act Prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the country however did not prevent entry by those who had previously established residence in the United States

Non-Europeans JapaneseJapanese –Later than Chinese –1894 treaty granting free entry –200,000 by 1920

Non-Europeans MexicanMexican –Early 20 th century –New irrigation in SW, labor needed –1910 Mexican Revolution and civil war that followed Turmoil at home-Push factor –Immigration Restriction Act of 1921 Limited immigration from Europe and Asia –Labor shortages drew Mexicans across the border –Did not apply to North Americans