Immigration A scholar, Oscar Handlin, once wrote: “Once I thought to write a history of the immigrants in America. Then I discovered that the immigrants WERE American history.”

The Great Migration 1880-1921 - 23 million immigrants old immigrants - before 1880 - northwestern Europe new immigrants - after 1880- southern and eastern Europe

Push and Pull Factors Reasons for leaving wars famine religious persecution overpopulation Leaving the homeland - hardships

Journey Across the Atlantic Crowded steerage - diverse group Horrible conditions no windows - little ventilation 1 toilet for 1000 passengers spread of disease

Arrival in America 75% processed through Ellis Island (Island of Tears) Lady Liberty “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-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

Medical Inspections 1st and 2nd class had short examination Steerage class loaded on to barges and taken to Ellis Island Medical inspections were often harsh and traumatic

Inspectors Examine Female Immigrants

Inspectors Examine the eyes of immigrants

Legal Inspections Long wait in Registry Hall Inspectors asked 32 questions Many remember Ellis Island as one of their worst experiences “Why should I fear the fires of hell? I have been through Ellis Island.”

Immigrants leave ship after inspections

Ethnic Enclaves Two thirds of immigrants settled in urban areas By 1920 75% of foreign-born U.S. residents lived in Cities Many stayed in close-knit ethnic enclaves Enclaves provided: sense of community and security familiar food, languages and institutions

Living Conditions Most cities ill-equipped Tenement Conditions no adequate sewage system housing scarce Tenement Conditions crowded filthy and run-down fire, diseases and death common Some traveled west to small towns

Nativism: policy of favoring the interests of native-born Americans over those of immigrants.