Why Would Many Immigrants Risk It All to Be An American? Why Would Many Immigrants Risk It All to Be An American? A Land of Promise Chapter 20

immigrants Dreams of a better life brought many immigrants- people from another country-to the United States in the late 1800 ’ s. America was known to all as the “ Land of Opportunity ”.Life was very hard at first,yet, over time many would come and many would build a strong,diverse nation unlike any other.

Section 1: A Land of Promise From , 25 million immigrants poured into the United States due to several factors. Push and Pull FactorsPush and Pull Factors played an important role in immigration. Push Factors: conditions that drive people to leave their homes. Pull Factors: conditions that attract people to a new area.

Small plots of land Introduction of machinery on fields (loss of jobs) E. Europe: political and religious persecution Mexican Revolution: disorder and famine povertyChina: poverty and hardships

Promise of freedom Hopes for a better life Hopes for a better life Family and friends: riches of a new land! needs workers Industry needs workers for low wages

The Unforgettable Voyage Most immigrants left their native countries to face unspeakable hardships, but they found a welcome symbol on the other side. A. The Welcome Symbol –Voyages ended in NYC with the Statue of Liberty –Given to the United States by France, it was a symbol of hope and freedom

B. A Last Hurdle … European immigrantsEuropean immigrants were processed by way of Ellis Island (1892) Most did not know new languages or customs Set apart by their native languages and religions To save time, many immigrant names were Americanized – wanted us all to be Americans Asian immigrantsAsian immigrants were processed through Angel Island in San Francisco Bay Some came and sent for their families later on when they were established.

Changing Patterns of Immigration “ Old Immigrants ” -“ Old Immigrants ” - English, Irish, German, and Scandanavian Immigrants “ New Immigrants ” -“ New Immigrants ” - Northern and Western Europe ** Few of these immigrants spoke English causing immigrants to be set apart by their native languages and religions.

The Result … Most found it hard to adapt to new ways of life in the United States

From Dreams to Reality … Most good farmland in the west was taken Most immigrants were poor, and found jobs via the railroad. California law prohibited Asians from owning land, as a result many immigrants left and moved east. Many immigrants did not assimilate very well – rather they settled in ethnic neighborhoods where they shared a common culture.

STOP! Vocabulary check! 1. Assimilation: the blending of one culture into another 2.Ethnic neighborhood or group: people who share a common culture 3. Newcomers could speak their own language and observe their own holidays **Helped to ease loneliness

Finding Jobs … and Friends. Friends, relatives and employment agencies helped newcomers bridge the gap between old traditions and new American traditions to find jobs 1.Newcomers were torn between traditional ways and “ American ” ways 2.Children assimilated more easily than their parents. Why? 3.Easier for them to give up customs and traditions (not inbred like parents)

Conflicts … Family Conflicts Americanized Children vs. Traditional Parents “ WASS-UP ” !Example: Traditional Chinese bow to greet one another where as Americanized children may say “ WASS-UP ” ! Children often fought authority, a trend that is still very common today. Why?Children often fought authority, a trend that is still very common today. Why?

What ’ s in a Name …? Many immigrants took great care in choosing names for their children … Many parents upon entering the United States had their names changed. EX. Joseph Spuchinsky to Joseph Smith Names were important to help children to remember their “ lost ” heritage

WELCOME!??..Anti-Immigrant Feelings Grow Many Americans were fearful that newcomers would not assimilate Resentment toward immigrants who worked for low pay 1860 ’ s- “ Chinatowns ” created as many Chinese immigrants are brought over to work on the railroads

Conflicts Continued … Limits on Immigration Thousands of Chinese come to United States to make $$$ on railroads. Chinese Exclusion Act – Chinese Exclusion Act – Chinese laborers barred for 10 years. First limit on Chinese immigration in U.S. – repealed in 1943

Other Limits on Immigration *1887- American Protective Association restrict immigration  Campaigned for laws to restrict immigration could not read their own language  Denied passage to people who could not read their own language  bill becomes law