Immigration, 1877-1924 U.S. History II

A Century of Immigration: 1820 - 1920 5,907,893 Germans 16.4% of all immigrants 25-36% between 1830-1890 4,578,941 Irish 12.7% of all immigrants 35-45% between 1830-1860 4,195,880 Italians 3,000,000 between 1901-1920 2,147,859 Scandinavians

Why They Left – Push Factors Lack of jobs Agriculture no longer viable Escaping persecution Dodging the draft Irish Tenants Evicted

Why They Came – Pull Factors Wages 2-3 times higher in U.S. Friends & relatives already here Greater economic, social, & political freedom Immigrants on board

How They Came – Means Recruitment Padrones Steamships “Birds of Passage” HMS Majestic, White Star Line, 1889

Cabin vs. Steerage Accommodations

Ellis Island, New York

Covered Entrance

Great Hall

Inspection

Hearing Room

Where Immigrants Settled

Urban Immigrants

Ethnic Ghettoes Never completely homogenous Dumbbell tenements Created organizations to preserve culture Churches Schools Benevolent associations Singing clubs Mulberry St., Manhattan Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2000

Tenement Sweatshop Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2000

Cooperation For Survival: Think about: Finding a place to live, a job, understanding the language and culture in a new country Many immigrants settled in communities with other immigrants from same country.

Angel Island: Not all immigrants came through Ellis Island Angel Island - Immigration station for the Asian immigrants arriving on the West Coast- San Francisco. Inspection process more difficult than on Ellis Island. (filthy conditions, harsh questioning)

Immigration Restrictions: America started to be called a MELTING POT - Many cultures & races had blended But, many immigrants refused to give up their culture.

The Rise of Nativism: Some Americans didn’t like so many immigrants living in the U.S. NATIVISM- preference for native-born Americans. Nativism 1. Gave rise to anti- immigrant groups 2. Led to a demand for immigration restrictions.

Citizenship Test The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? A: We the People What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? A: The Bill of Rights How many amendments does the Constitution have? A: 27

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? A:life, liberty, pursuit of happiness We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? A: 6 yrs We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? A:2 yrs What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? A: Joe Biden

If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? A: Speaker of the House Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? provide schooling and education provide protection (police) provide safety (fire departments) give a driver’s license approve zoning and land use

Who is the Governor of your state now? A:Mike Pence What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? A: Louisiana Territory Name the U.S. war between the North and the South The Civil War

Angel Island Reading Why was Angel Island known as the “Ellis Island of the west”? Why did it matter that Wong looked wealthy and had money on him? How did the Lopez family’s experience differ from Wong’s? Why were they not allowed in the U.S.? What were the “strikes” against the 6 Korean students and why were they finally allowed in? Why did Soto Shee try to commit suicide there? Describe the differences and similarities you see between Ellis and Angel Island. Which would you have preferred to go through and why?

Immigration Writing Write a two paragraph response to what you have learned about immigration to the U.S. Use the following questions as a guide: Why do so many people in other countries want to come to the U.S.? How much do you appreciate being a U.S. citizen? How do you feel about past policies such as the Chinese Exclusion Act and quotas on certain groups (such as Jews)? How important is it for America to remain open to new people and what restrictions should be used today?

Project: Things to Consider… What do I want to learn about my family? Who will I talk to in order to learn this? What details will I include in my essay and which will I leave out? Why is it important to learn about my family’s history?