Immigration

What is immigration? Push Factors Pull Factors People moving from one country to another Why? Population growth Hunger New start Religion Job opportunities Better life for their family Get rich quick (some intended to go back home) Push Factors Pull Factors

How did they get here? Steamship From Europe – 1 week From Asia – 3 weeks Most in ship’s cargo hold Cheap Dirty Share toilets Disease – some died No fresh air (not allowed on deck)

Europeans Over 20 million between 1870 and 1920 – East coast Early on most from Western and Northern Europe New wave from Southern and Eastern Europe Italy and Russia

Ellis Island New York Immigrants were inspected (5 hours – 2 days) Physical exam – Labeled – “H” heart problem Eye test Legal interview Prove no felonies Able to work Some money 2% sent home

Asians 500,000 between 1851 and 1920 – West Coast Most were looking for fortune -Gold rush Huge part in building the nations railroads

Angel Island San Francisco, California Asians Harsh Questioning Long detention Filthy buildings Much worse than Ellis Island 10% sent home

PROBLEMS THEY FACED

Problems Long Hours Horrible working conditions Treated like machines No helmets or safety glasses Very low pay Child Labor Living conditions

Child Labor Families needed the money Easier to find jobs Most dangerous conditions paid even less As young as 6

Living Conditions Most lived in slums Tenements – run down apartments Usually 4-6 stories high 4 families on each floor Cook, eat, and sleep in the same room Men, women, and children together Disease Fire and crime

Labor Unions Group of workers organized to protect the interests of its members Higher wages Shorter hours Better conditions Would strike