Class Starter Look at the political Cartoon above. List several attributes of the person sitting on the barrel. (appearance, etc., Does he have anything on his person?) What about the people around him? Why do you think the person is sitting on a barrel of rum? This image is projecting an immigrant to the United States. Where do you think he is from?

Immigration in the Early 19th Century

Immigration Rose Dramatically between 1830 and 1860. 1845-1854 about 3 million immigrants came to the United States. Most were German, Irish and Chinese. They avoided the South because slavery limited opportunities.

Germans Immigrants Settled in the upper Mississippi River Valley and in the Ohio River Valley. In Germany, most were farmers. In the United States, they became professionals, Artisans, and shopkeepers. Germans were part of the “desirable” immigrant groups.

Irish Settled in large cities in the Eastern United States. 1815-1844: Nearly a million immigrants settled in America 1845-1854: The Great Potato Famine in the Ireland drove over One Million immigrants to the US

4. Irish Face Discrimination Part of the “undesirable” immigrants. Why did the Irish face discrimination and prejudice? They were Roman Catholic They were Poor They were strikebusters; willing to work for low wages. Their neighborhoods were ransacked and they were treated unfairly. Some believed there was a Catholic conspiracy to take over the United States.

Chinese Immigrants Largest Immigrant group to come from overseas to California. Came to work in the Gold mines, take agricultural jobs and factory work. Became instrumental in building the Railroad in the American West. Many became successful and then anti-Chinese sentiment increased.

Why Immigrate? 1. Pull Factors 2. Push Factors Freedom Economic Opportunity Abundant land 2. Push Factors Population growth Agricultural changes Crop failures Industrial Revolution Religious and political turmoil

Rise of Nativism The favoring the interests of Native born people over foreign born people. Feared negative influence of “foreigners” on society Wanted to limit immigrants right to vote.

Rise of Nativism Know-Nothing Party: Originated in 1849 Followers opposed immigrants and members of the Catholic Church Wanted to purify American Politics. (wanted only natural born citizens to run for office and raise the residency requirement from 5 to 25 years) Famous phrase “I know nothing!” (where the name came from).

Immigrant Paper Doll Research how Immigrants dressed in the early 1800s (before1860) Create your immigrant Paper Doll. Color the outside of your paper doll. On the inside, give him/her a backstory based on the following questions: List of Family members Where is your home country? What was your occupation before immigrating? Why are you immigrating to the United States? What struggles have you faced? What are your hopes for the future?

Create a Tombstone for the Know-nothing Party Draw a tombstone for the Know-Nothing Party. You must include the name of the Party. The dates of the party’s “life” A picture that represents the party (on the tombstone). And a quote from the Party or a statement about the party. Poster must be colorful.