American Immigrants CICERO © 2008

Motivations CICERO © 2008 Immigrant groups had many motivations to venture to America. In Europe, they had no say in government affairs, because elites and noblemen ran European governments. In addition to political freedom, immigrants also sought religious freedom because some churches in Europe refused to tolerate different faiths. Immigrants also desired to acquire as much land as possible, because the ruling class controlled much of the land in Europe. Many people seeking new opportunities in America were optimistic that they could control their own property.

The Irish CICERO © 2008 Irish immigrants came to America to escape the Great Famine that plagued Ireland and resulted in death and sickness. Many Irish Catholics settled in coastal areas on America’s East Coast. Most immigrants had little money and minimal skills to aid them in procuring jobs. Even though they were unskilled, they found jobs to start their new lives in the United States. Irish immigrants had great pride in their heritage and continued to embrace their heritage in the United States.

The Italians CICERO © 2008 Italian immigrants came to America after years of political unrest in un- unified Italy. In addition, southern Italy was a region of grinding poverty. This was the area in which most Italian immigrants to the United States had lived. Many of those who came to the United States were artisans who wished to ply their trade in America. They introduced new crafts and artwork to the United States. Many of these immigrants only stayed in the United States for a short time before earning enough money to help their families and to return to Italy. Italians were known as hard workers. They worked long hours at their jobs to aid their families in America and abroad. Italian immigrants arrive in New York.

The Germans CICERO © 2008 German immigration to America was immense between 1840 and Germany experienced much political and social turmoil, as did many other countries in Europe at this time. The German Revolution had supporters that traveled (known as the “Forty-Eighters because they arrived in America in 1848) to America with various political beliefs. German immigrants brought their cultural backgrounds with them and conversed in their native German language. Many German immigrants found jobs working as carpenters, as well as toiling in factories that promoted growth in the lumber and oil industries. A German family arrives in America.

The Chinese CICERO © 2008 Chinese people chose to leave China because of wars and rebellions, as well as disease. Because of their low incomes, many Chinese immigrants had to work for years to pay their debt for the passage to the United States. Immigrants from China primarily made the West Coast of the United States, particularly California, their home. They embraced the American culture, participating with Americans in celebrations such as California’s admittance into the Union. They maintained their native culture in the United States, founding the Kong Chow Association to support their heritage. Most of the Chinese who arrived were men looking to strike it rich during the California Gold Rush.

Jewish Immigrants CICERO © 2008 Jewish immigration occurred during two separate periods in the nineteenth century. Those of Jewish descent were unable to acquire their own land in Europe, and many European governments restricted their freedom. Another set of immigrants came after the German Revolution of Jewish people focused on earning money for their families through jobs as merchants, artisans, and shopkeepers. They were known for starting their own businesses and became increasingly successful as time passed. In addition, they maintained their Yiddish culture and introduced Yiddish literature to the United States. Most Jews who arrived in America during the late nineteenth century came from eastern Europe.

Political Machines CICERO © 2008 Political machines evolved in the late nineteenth century. They were a fixture in American cities such as Chicago and New York. They were usually headed by a “boss” whom business owners, politicians, and immigrants supported. Earning the boss’ support was a rite of passage in the United States for immigrants. The boss would help them if they voted to keep his political machine in power. In some instances bosses used nefarious tactics such as loaning money to immigrants as a bribe to ensure immigrants would vote for the political machine’s candidates. The Irish successfully used the patronage system to gain power and influence in the United States.

Congregating in Cities CICERO © 2008 When immigrants came to America, they often lived alongside people of their own nationality. Eventually, these large groups of immigrants formed neighborhoods. Each ethnicity had its own part of town, especially in New York City. For example, immigrants of Italian descent primarily could be found in Little Italy; and Chinese immigrants lived in Chinatown. Conditions in ethnic neighborhoods in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century were often horrendous. Many families were cramped into tight living conditions without sewage systems, which led to the rampant spread of disease. Today, nearly every major city in the United States has a Chinatown. Newly arrived Chinese immigrants still settle in these areas as they adjust to life in America.

Discrimination CICERO © 2008 Some native-born Americans objected to immigration in the late nineteenth century. Catholics were targeted as “Nativists” desecrated and ruined Catholic churches and places of worship. German immigrants were disliked because they retained their German language. The Nativists believed all immigrants should learn to speak English. Immigrants sometimes discriminated among themselves. For example, the Irish attacked the Chinese during the construction of railroads in the American West. Chinese immigration was restricted through the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

Returning Home CICERO © 2008 Many immigrants came to America with purposes besides settling and forming a new life. They came to America to make enough money to return home and enjoy a better life with their families. Immigrants who came from overseas were often men, who left their families behind for more plentiful jobs in the United States. Immigrants would be gone for one to two years before returning to their homelands to start over. There were cases where opportunities were so vast in America that the men would pay for the passage for their entire family to venture to the United States.