The New Immigrants Chapter 21 Lesson 1

PUSH / PULL REASONS: 1. Lured by promise of better life 2 PUSH / PULL REASONS: 1. Lured by promise of better life 2. Escape difficult conditions at home a. Famine b. Land Shortages 3. Escape religious/political persecution 4. Jobs supposedly plentiful in America 5. Come to earn money then go back CLASS NOTES I.) Why Leave?

II.) Came from where? European Immigrants: 1. English, Irish, German, Scandinavian, Italian, Russian, and Polish Asian Immigrants: 1. Chinese and Japanese West Indies and Mexico: 1. Mexican, Jamaica, Cuba, and Puerto Rico II.) Came from where?

III.) The Journey to America Traveled by steamship to America 1. trip across Atlantic took 1 week 2. trip across Pacific took 3 weeks Traveled in “Steerage” or the cheapest accommodations in a ship’s cargo hold Conditions: III.) The Journey to America

Ellis Island: immigration station in New York Harbor which decided whether or not immigrants would be admitted to America 17 million immigrants passed through 1. Had to pass a physical health exam 2. Had to pass a government inspector’s test a. able to work? b. have some money? c. never been convicted of a felony? IV.) Ellis Island

Angel Island: immigration station in the San Francisco Bay which decided whether or not immigrants would be admitted to America Between 1910-1940 50,000 Chinese enter U.S. 1. much more harsh 2. longer decision time V.) Angel Island

VI.) So Your IN! Now What? Challenges Faced by Immigrants: 1. find a place to live 2. find a job 3. understand language 4. understand culture Coping with new life: 1. create ethnic communities CLASS NOTES VI.) So Your IN! Now What?

VII.) Immigration Restrictions Native born Americans saw country as a “Melting Pot” Most immigrants did not give up “old” culture Outcome: as immigrants numbers increased anti- immigrant feelings emerge CLASS NOTES VII.) Immigration Restrictions

Nativism: favoritism toward native-born Americans 1. anti-immigration groups begin to form 2. demand for immigration restrictions grow

1897 Congress pass law requiring literacy test for immigrants 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act: law passed by Congress which banned Chinese immigrants for a period of 10 years (few exceptions) 1906 San Francisco Board of Ed. Segregate Japanese school children