IMMIGRATION -Old Immigration ( ) Western Europe -New Immigration Eastern Europe Germany, Italy, Russia, Poland (to East Coast) Asian Immigration Come to America to mine, worked on railroads, then as farmers (West Coast) Hispanic Immigration Come to the South and East for political freedom “America…We were so near it seemed too much to believe. Everyone stood silent- like in prayer…Then we were entering the harbor. The land came so near we could almost reach out and touch it…everyone was holding their breath…” ~Rosa Cavalleri, Italian immigrant
WHY? - Higher paying jobs, land, gold, religious freedom, and political freedom.
NEW LIFE -difficult journey 1-3 weeks in steerage with diseases and not much food -Ellis Island, NY immigrant processing Physical exam, government inspection (criminal record) -Angel Island, SF Harsher examinations, detentions Waiting in line at Ellis Island in New York. This was the major immigrant in- processing station in the nation, as 17 million immigrants passed through its gates to gain entrance to the United States.
~The Immigrant Experience~
NEW LIFE -Culture Shock Need a home and job in a brand new culture -Ethnic communities Similar language/customs -Melting Pot Mixing together of all cultures by assimilation -Nativism Favoring native-born Americans over immigrants Once in America, new immigrants had to endure physical examinations (to check for disease and lice), as well as governmental examinations, which checked your criminal record in your previous country. While many were admitted, some were sent back home.
Restrictions on Immigrants Chinese Exclusion Act the first law passed restricting the immigration of Chinese people to America. Gentlemen’s Agreement a deal struck with Japan, US citizens would not immigrate there and none of Japan’s citizens would immigrate here.
URBAN GROWTH -Urban life 1/12 in /3 by Immigrant settlement In cities for cheap housing and available jobs -Decline of farmers new technology, fewer workers -Industrialization Available jobs -cultural opportunities Most immigrants settled in and around the major cities because of their proximity to jobs, as well as allowing cultural groups to stay together. When this happened, places like “Little Italy” and “Chinatown” sprang up across major cities.
We cannot all live in the city, yet nearly all seem determined to do so.” ~Horace Greeley
URBAN PROBLEMS -tenements Multi-family dwellings; over-crowded, unsanitary -rising crime rates Small police forces and the poor are very desperate
“I looked about the narrow streets…ragged clothes, dirty bedding oozing out of the windows, ashcans and garbage cans cluttering the sidewalks. A vague sadness pressed down on my heart-the first doubt of America.” ~Anzia Yezierska, Russian Immigrant
URBAN PROBLEMS -few city services water Indoor plumbing rare, water unsafe to drink sanitation Manure, sewage and trash in streets, foul air, pollution and disease fire Wood dwellings with candles and oil lamps Small fire departments with limited water supply
“’One half of the world does not know how the other half lives.’ That was true then. It did not know because it did not care. The half that was on top cared little for the struggles, and less for the fate of those who were underneath, so long as it was able to hold them there. “Suppose we look into a tenement on Cherry Street…Listen! That short hacking cough, that tiny helpless cry…The child is dying of measles. With half a chance it might have lived. But it had none. That dark bedroom killed it.” ~Jacob Riis, How the Other Half Lives
RAISING AWARENESS -Social Gospel Christian theme of helping the less fortunate Salvation Army -Jacob Riis “How the Other Half Lives” Book about the urban poor written to get help -Jane Addams Hull House, Chicago Settlement Houses Community centers in slums that provide services to the poor Jacob Riis and Jane Addams crusade for the poor to improve their urban living conditions in the major cities. “Presently she established a kindergarten, a gymnasium, evening classes, clubs for young people and clubs for old people, and a day nursery where workingwomen might leave their children. As her work advanced she experienced the need of more room and several buildings were added to the original brick Hull House.”
Impact of Immigrants AreaResult Businesses Immigrants = cheap labor = good = more money Unions Immigrants = cheap labor = bad = weaken bargain power for unions WorkersImmigrants = cheap labor = bad = fewer jobs for “natives”
Nativism What? Belief that natural born Americans should receive benefits and jobs before immigrants. Why? job competition that immigrants created. Who? The Know-Nothings were a political party that actually stood against immigration.