People on the Move Angela Brown (Chapter 5 Section 1) 1

Learning Targets: Describe the experiences of immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Compare immigration from Europe, Asia, and Mexico. 2

Bellringer: What do you think immigrants entering the U.S. in 1900 might have thought as they saw the Statue of Liberty? Explain why the Statue of liberty remains a potent symbol today, despite the fact that few immigrants now arrive by sailing into New York harbor. 3

The Immigrant Experience 1860 U.S. Population 31.5 million people million more moved to U.S. most from Northern European Countries. Most sought wealth and freedom. September of 2006 the U.S. population will top 300,000,

Crossing the Ocean Late 1800s took 2 to 3 weeks to cross Atlantic one week to cross Most immigrants traveled in steerage – a large open area beneath the ships deck 5

Pacific took longer but had similar accommodations. Your country of origin often determined your treatment. (Japanese better than Chinese) de/fhh/internetausstellungen/emigration/englisch/E/37.htm 6

Arriving in America “Birds of passage” young men worked a few months or years and returned home. Until 1880s who was allowed into the country depended on the states. 7

1882 federal government began to exclude certain categories Office of Superintendent of Immigration was formed to make determinations. 8

70% came through New York City the “Golden Door” Other ports included Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, San Francisco, or Seattle

1892 opened Ellis Island 1886 Statue of Liberty Erected

Immigration from Europe 1892 federal government required physical exams for all immigrants. Quarantine- a time of isolation to prevent spread of disease or deported Criminals hung around ports to steal from immigrants. 11

Immigrants sought to live in established communities with previous settlers from their homeland. Jobs were scarce and employers often took advantage of immigrants. 12

Immigration from Asia Mid 1800s- a quarter million Chinese workers helped build the transcontinental railroad finished in Anti-Asian movement claimed Asians were physically and mentally inferior to white Americans. Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in prohibited Chinese workers from entering the country. 13

It was renewed in 1892, 1902 and then made permanent. It was not repealed until Japanese immigrated to U.S. from Hawaii when the U.S. obtained Hawaii in

“Picture Bride” – women whose marriages had been arranged through the exchange of photographs across the Pacific San Francisco School Board passed segregation laws for Asian students. 15

Segregation – forced separation Japanese government condemned – Violation of 1894 Treaty allowing Japanese to enter U.S. freely. 16

1907 Compromise was a Gentleman’s Agreement ( not an official government document) to stop segregation/ Japanese stop issuing passports to laborers Webb Alien Land Law banned Alien Asians from owing farmland. Alien – non-citizens 17

Immigration from Mexico 1902 Newlands National Reclamation Act to promote the irrigation of southwestern lands. Turned Millions of acres of desert into fertile farmland. Employers hired 50,000 Mexican laborers to work on farms. 18

WWI brought 10% of Mexican population (1 Million) to the U.S. Immigration Restriction Act of 1921 limited immigration from Europe and Asia drew Mexican Workers. By 1925, LA had largest Spanish speaking population of any North American City outside of Mexico. 19