Immigration Ellis Island Copy words in RED

 By the 1880's, steam power had shortened the journey to America dramatically.  Immigrants poured in from around the world: from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Southern and Eastern Europe, and down from Canada.

Immigration EuropePre-1880s, most immigrants came from Europe (English, Scots, Irish, Germans, & Scandinavians) The door was wide open for Europeans - In the 1880s alone, 9% of the total population of Norway emigrated to America. northern Europeans factories millsBy late 1800s, fewer northern Europeans came because they found jobs in factories and mills in Europe.

Steamships Cross the Ocean steamships sailing shipsIn the 1860s steamships had replaced sailing ships as the best way to travel across the Atlantic. Steamships were made of iron and then steel strong, sturdysafeSteamships were strong, sturdy, and safe. Steamships made it possible for men to come work for a few months, then return home.

Steamships cont. Some people were put to work to pay their way on a steamship: “The young man took us to a big ship and got us work way down where the fires are. We had to carry coal to the place where it could be thrown on the fires. Francisco and I were very sick from the great heat at first and lay on the coal for a long time, but they threw water on us and made us get up.” ~Rocco (young Italian immigrant)

Ellis Island: Gate to America Statue of LibertyBeginning in 1886: the Statue of Liberty greeted immigrants first stop1892: Ellis Island opened as first stop for most immigrants crossing the Atlantic. Check-in Process: Medical checkup Asked Name, occupation, who paid your fare, can you read and write, how much money do you have, have you ever been in prison or in the poorhouse, where are you going, etc. Many received new names – “American” names stayed 2Most immigrants stayed – only 2% were sent home

Ellis Island One immigrant recalled arriving at Ellis Island: "The boat anchored at mid-bay and then they tendered us on the ship to Ellis Island… We got off the boat…you got your bag in your hand and went right into the building Ah, that day must have been about five to six thousand people. Jammed, I remember it was August. Hot as a pistol, and I'm wearing my long johns, and my heavy Irish tweed suit."

Families Families often immigrated together during this era, although young men frequently came first to find work. Some of these then sent for their wives, children, and siblings; others returned to their families in Europe with their saved wages.

Asians The experience for Asian immigrants in this period was quite different. In 1882 Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, severely restricting immigration from China. bachelor societiesSince earlier laws made it difficult for those Chinese immigrants who were already here to bring over their wives and families, most Chinese communities remained "bachelor societies."

Asians The 1907 "Gentlemen's Agreement" with Japan extended the government's hostility towards Asian workers and families. Angel IslandFor thousands, the Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco Bay would be as close as they would ever get to the American mainland. Angel Island

Where Immigrants Settled find workImmigrants settled where they could find work mines, mills, factoriesWork = mines, mills, factories Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois½ of immigrants settled in four industrial states: Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois (cities: Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago) If a relative helped pay for passage, immigrants usually lived with them Led to ethnic neighborhoods with people sharing similar cultures & backgrounds

Jobs for Immigrants If immigrants didn’t have family members or know anyone, they might be sent back home. PadroneSometimes they were rescued by a Padrone (labor boss) nationalityEvery nationality (group of people from the same nation) had its version of a padrone. jobs shelter foodPadrones found jobs for immigrants and gave them shelter and food. wagesWorkers then gave the padrone a large part of their wages.

Why they came to America For Mexicans victimized by the Revolution, Europeans escaping religious persecution or famine, and Armenians escaping the massacres in Turkey, America provided refuge/safety. equal rightsRussian Jews were especially in danger. Jews had long been denied equal rights (limited jobs, no education, limited housing) pogromsIn 1881, Russian Czars encouraged pogroms – organized robberies and massacres of Jews.

Importance of Education educationAnother reason immigrants came was for children to receive an education. fasterAmerican school system was growing faster than some cities. Schools taught citizenship, proper social behavior, and skills to earn a living 1870: cities and states began passing laws requiring children to attend school until a certain age. # of children attending school more than doubled

Importance of Education cont. Teachers had difficulty educating children from different backgrounds and with different languages. ageA system of grades organized students by age. StandardsStandards were set for each grade. Marking system, courses, and textbooks used.

Immigrant Life sweatshopsMany workers held jobs in unsafe sweatshops Very dangerous! (ex: 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire) 146 deaths protect workersCaused NYC to establish rules to protect workers Home conditions were bad too TenementsTenements: overcrowded and unhealthy apartment buildings SlumsSlums: any neighborhood in a city that had these unsafe conditions PieceworkPiecework: working from home & getting paid by the # of objects made.

How many? Between 1880 and 1930 over 27 million people entered the United States - about 20 million through Ellis Island. But after outbreak of World War I in 1914, American attitudes toward immigration began to shift. Nationalism and suspicion of foreigners were on the rise, and immigrants' loyalties were often called into question. Through the early 20s, a series of laws was passed to limit the flow of immigrants.

Ellis Island Pictures

Interesting Immigration Facts More than 31 million persons enter the United States legally each year as visitors, students, and temporary workers. Over 500 million cross the Canadian & Mexican borders to conduct daily business and/or to visit close family members.More than 31 million persons enter the United States legally each year as visitors, students, and temporary workers. Over 500 million cross the Canadian & Mexican borders to conduct daily business and/or to visit close family members. African immigrants have the highest high school completion rate: 95%African immigrants have the highest high school completion rate: 95% One immigrant arrives every 35 secondsOne immigrant arrives every 35 seconds There are more than 20 million refugees in the world today; 80% of them are women & childrenThere are more than 20 million refugees in the world today; 80% of them are women & children