What do immigrants expect or desire when they come to the United States?

“Old Immigrants” Came from Northern and Western Europe in 1840s and 1850s Typically came with families Settled on farms Had a skill/trade or were educated

“New Immigrants” Came from Southern and Eastern Europe after 1870s Many came alone Settled in cities Often poor and unskilled

Other Information Between 1850 & 1890 the foreign born population in the U.S. doubled. (14 million) People feared they would destroy America’s culture In 1890, 4 out of every 5 people in NYC were foreign born or had foreign born parents

Discrimination Nativism: the belief that native-born white Americans are superior to new comers Xenophobia: Fear or hatred of strangers or of anything that is strange or foreign

Chinese Exclusion Acts (1882-1943) Prohibited immigration Chinese residents could not become naturalized Limited the civil rights of Chinese “Any Chinese person who is arrested shall be considered to be in the country illegally unless he/she has a certificate of residence or proof of his/her lawful right to remain.”

Restricting Immigration Health inspections Literacy tests Immigration quotas

This Day in History Oct 31st, 1941 - Mount Rushmore was declared complete after 14 years of work.

Ellis Island/Angel Island

A pregnant mother, 30, comes with two children A pregnant mother, 30, comes with two children. Both children caught an illness on the voyage over. They have no relatives in the U.S. She has $10 and is a skilled seamstress. A German doctor, 65, arrives at Ellis Island. He is in good health but he comes with no money and does not have family here. A middle-aged Chinese man arrives at Angel Island. He is in good health and comes with money. He also has family in the U.S. A husband and wife arrive from Norway. They have a five year old child and do not have any other family in the U.S. They have a small amount of money and no possessions. A husband and Wife arrive from Hungary. They speak little to no English and $15. Job skills listed are manual labor A woman arrives at Ellis Island, eager to join her husband in New York City. He already has housing and a job in the city. However, the inspectors suspect she may have a mental illness.

7. A husband and wife arrive from Scotland with their seven children 7. A husband and wife arrive from Scotland with their seven children. All appear healthy and the family has a small savings with them. They do not have relatives in the country. 8. A 17 year old male, has arrived from Hungary. He speaks three languages. He says he has come here to join the U.S. military although he looks sickly and fails and easy eye test. 9. An 18 year old male arrives from Germany. On his paper work, he lists he is the youngest of 21 children. He states he has a family friend that lives in St. Louis, where he would like to go. 10. A family of 8 arrive from Russia, The father says he is a musician. They state they are leaving Russia because they are being threatened because they are Jewish. They have less than $100 and nowhere to go. 11. A family of 6 arrive from Greece. The family has no money and no relatives in the country. They look healthy. 12. Two sisters arrive in the U.S. from Ireland. They are in good health, practice Catholicism, and are able to work.