The Immigrant Experience Coming to America Ask the class: -“What does it meant to be an American?” -“What do you think I mean when I say that the United States is an immigrant nation?” The Immigrant Experience
Some Vocabulary Immigrant: Emigrant:
Some Vocabulary Immigrant: a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country Emigrant: a person who leaves their own country in order to settle permanently in another
A Comparison VS.
The Push-Pull Theory of Immigration 2 types of motivations for immigration: “Push” factors are things that cause people to leave their old country “Pull” factors are things that cause people to want to move to a new country
QUESTION: Who can think of some reasons why people were immigrating to the United States from 1880-1920? Write the answers on the board… then go to the next slide.
ANSWERS: Population Growth Hunger/Lack of Arable Land Religious Freedom (esp. Jews & Catholics) Economic Opportunity Railroads Factories Farmland
Click here for stories of immigrants. Ellis Island, New York Click here for stories of immigrants.
Angel Island, California
Statue of Liberty, New York
The New Colossus-Emma Lazarus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
Imagine... What do you think new immigrants to the United States were concerned about? If you and your family were immigrating to the United States, how would you feel? What would you be worried about?
Boots on the Ground… Once the immigrants arrived on American soil, they faced a host of challenges: Language barriers Housing congestion Little money or possessions Nativist agitation
Nativist Political Cartoon
Group Activity: Share Out You will need a textbook. You will be split into three groups: Group 1: The Long Voyage (pg 559-560) Group 2: Changing Patterns of Immigration/Adjusting to a New Land (pg 561-562) Group 3: A New Surge of Nativism (pg 562-563) Summarize key points and be prepared to share out in 10 minutes.
Review Push and pull factors Through Ellis Island Through Angel island Nativism
QUIZ TIME!!! Quiz will be worth 10 points and is open-note. No talking after I hand out the quiz. Make sure your name is on the quiz. When you finish, put your quiz in the red basket and return to your seat. Sit quietly until everyone else is finished.