Immigration: Coming to America 1820-1914
The New Colossus 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!" Emma Lazarus, 1883
WHY? 1865 - 1914 Over 25 Million Immigrants came to US. End of Civil War to World War I 1865 - 1914 Over 25 Million Immigrants came to US. WHY?
Conditions that drive people from their homes or homeland. Push Factors Conditions that drive people from their homes or homeland.
Conditions that attract immigrants to a new country. Pull Factors Conditions that attract immigrants to a new country.
Push Factors for Immigration Pull Factors for Immigration Famine (Ireland) War/Revolution Religious Persecution (pogroms against Russian Jews) Political Persecution Scarce Land Farm jobs lost to invention of new machines Poverty (no hope of improving standard of living) Promise of freedom and equality under the law Economic Opportunity (raise standard of living) Jobs available (factories) Friends or family have already settled in America
70 % of all immigrants came through New York City at... "Golden Door" 70 % of all immigrants came through New York City at...
Ellis Island, NY
Arrival: into the Great Hall…
1892-1954 was headquarters of U.S. immigration. At least 16 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island
Italians wait their turn…
All immigrants riding in “steerage” had to pass through inspection at Ellis Island: medical exam and then interview
Chalk marks used to single out immigrants with medical problems: Back
If all their papers were in order, and they passed the medical exams, the typical time through Ellis Island was 3-5 hours
Passed through and waiting to depart for New York…
Who came to America?
“Old vs New” Immigrants
“Old Immigrants” from Northern & Western Europe First Wave (Old): 1820-1880 Irish English Scottish German “Old Immigrants” from Northern & Western Europe
Second Wave (New): 1880-1914 Italy Poland Austrians Hungarians Russia Ukraine Norway Sweden Denmark Greece Czechs Slovaks “New Immigrants” from Eastern & Southern Europe
Causes of rapid growth of US cities in late 1800s… Immigrants Americans moving to cities (as frontier closed) African Americans (prejudice, hard times)
Rapid growth of cities in US leads to: Poor Living Conditions (tenement slums) Ethnic Neighborhoods
Nativists: Opposed immigration. Wanted to preserve America for native-born, white protestants. Saw foreigners as threat (job competition)
Chinese Exclusion Act: 1882 – act passed to limit number of immigrants from China.
Assimilation: the process of blending into society by adopting the dominant culture. Acculturation: learning and adapting new ways while still hanging on to old traditions. America becomes a “melting pot” of immigrant cultures.