The Rising Tide of Immigration: 1865-1915 "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.” – Emma Lazaras

What trends do you see?

Through the Golden Door 1865-1915: 13.5 million Why? Wars, famine, religious persecution, overpopulation Before 1880 85% from northern and western Europe“old immigrants” more similar in language, religion, custom After 1880 increase from southern & eastern Europe=“ new immigrants” did NOT share language/religion/customs with majority of population New immigrants included southern Italy (drought, economic disaster and disease; Polish and Russian Jews (religious persecution) Hungary- Catholics and Jews

Perceptions… some real; some were imagined; some half-true. OLD IMMIGRANTS NEW IMMIGRANTS from northern or western Europe were Protestant were literate and skilled came over as families were quick to assimilate were experienced with democracy had some money from southern or eastern Europe were not Protestant--were Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish were illiterate and unskilled came over as birds of passage were clannish and reluctant to assimilate were radicals or autocrats arrived impoverished

Chinese Immigration Between 1851-1883, 300,000 Chinese arrived. Many came to seek gold fortunes in the gold rush. Helped build nations railroads Turned to farming, mining and domestic services However, Chinese immigration was limited by Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

Japanese Immigration 1884- Japanese boom begins 1898 annex of Hawaii increase Japanese immigration to the west coast High American wages Peak in 1907 of 30,000 totaling 200,000 by 1920

West Indies and Mexico 1880-1920 260,000 immigrants from West Indies: Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and others Left homelands due to lack of jobs and the promise of work in the industrial boom in the U.S. Mexicans came north for work and to escape political turmoil 1902-the National Reclamation Act created new farmland and drew Mexican workers

Passage to America A difficult journey usually by ship Trip from Europe took one week, from Asia took three weeks. Traveled in cheap accommodations, usually cargo hold. Rarely allowed on deck; very crowded Slept in louse-infected bunks, shared toilets with other immigrants Disease spread quickly Conditions of travel: Passage cost a life’s savings steerage deck= cheapest overcrowded, uncomfortable conditions “During the 12 days in the steerage I lived in . . . surroundings that offended every sense. Only the fresh breeze from the sea overcame the sickening odors.”

Ellis Island in Upper New York Bay

Immigrants being checked by the immigration inspector

Immigrants of the main hall on Ellis Island

Ellis Island Inspection Process: humiliating and dehumanizing Long lines; tagged by language, ailment Medical Exams Checked documents and questioned immigrants on whether they met legal requirements: 1. Must be able to prove they had never been convicted of a felony, 2. Able to work 3. Showing they had some money. 1892-1924 Ellis Island was chief processing station for nearly 17 million immigrants Exams: 2 minutes! 32 exam questions! The “eye” doctors Have $$? cabin class avoided long delays

Angel Island

Inspection Process

Processed immigrants . . . What is out there for us?

Political Cartoon analysis Examine the political cartoon you are assigned (#1-#9). Answer the questions on your analysis handout. As a class, we will review your findings.