Chapter 7 The New Immigrants Through the Golden Door – immigrants come for many reasons such as escaping famine, land shortages, religious and political persecution.

Copy and Answer the Following Explain what a melting pot is. What is nativism? Why was the Chinese Exclusion Act passed? What did this Act do? Explain the Gentlemen’s Agreement.

Europeans 1870 – 1920 approximately 20 million Europeans came to U.S. Before 1890 Europeans come from western and northern Europe. After 1890s more come from southern and eastern Europe. 1907 – One million people come from Italy, Austria-Hungary and Russia.

Reason for Immigration Religious persecution of Jews. Over population. Shortage of food and land. America held the promise of jobs.

Chinese and Japanese Came to West Coast. 1851 – 1883 about 300,000 Chinese came. California Gold Rush. Chinese immigrants help build railroads. Next they turned to farming and domestic service. Chinese immigration was limited by congress in 1882.

Japanese 1884 the Japanese government allowed Hawaii to use Japanese immigrants to work in Hawaii. 1907 – 30,000 left Japan for U.S.. By 1920 more than 200,000 Japanese lived on the West Coast.

West Indies 1880-1920 about 260,000 immigrants came from Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico and other West Indies islands. Left for factory work in the U.S.

Mexico Mexicans came to U.S. for jobs and to escape political turmoil. Immigration programs in U.S. led to more farmland and a need for farm workers. 700,000 people would immigrate to U.S. over the next 20 years.

Life in a New Land By 1870s European immigrants traveled by steamship. It took about one week. The Pacific crossing would take three weeks. Most immigrants traveled by the cheapest method, in cargo holds, not allowed to go on deck. Result, disease, illness, some did not survive the trip.

Ellis Island Located in New York harbor. Immigrants had to pass inspection before they were allowed into the U.S. Only 2% were denied access to U.S. Processing could take five hours or longer. First, physical examination by doctor. Next, examination by government inspector.

Government Inspector Checked to see if immigrant had the right to immigrate. Immigrant had to prove they were never convicted of felony. Be able to demonstrate they could work. Have a certain amount of money, approx. $25.00. Between 1892 – 1924 seventeen million passed through Ellis Island.

Angel Island Located in San Francisco Bay. Asian immigrants came through Angel Island. 1910 – 1940 about 50,000 Chinese came to the U.S. through Angel Island. Conditions were worse than at Ellis Island. Immigrants treated badly, often waiting days or weeks to be allowed off Angel Island.

Immigrants Survival Immigrants had to find a place to live and work. They had to try to get along in a country where they did not speak the language. Most immigrants searched for areas where other immigrants from their countries were living. They could hold on to their old ways, customs, food. They became the first Chinese-Americans, Polish-Americans, …

Answer the following: Explain what is meant by Melting Pot. Explain nativism. Why was the Chinese Exclusion Act passed by Congress, what did it do? Explain the Gentlemen’s Agreement.