Immigration

Questions to think about while watching the video clip… 1.Why did people want to come to America? 2.What were they escaping from? 3.What did they hope to find?

Why the came, In a nut-shell… Fleeing crop failures Food shortages Job shortages No land –Cant farm or set-up homes Increasing taxes Famine Religious persecution

1860 U.S. population was 31.5 million Addition 30 million immigrated between Arial view of immigration center – Ellis Island

Long boat rides. Cheapest tickets were for Steerage: large open area beneath ship deck No privacy, poor food, limited toilet facilities

European Immigration

At Ellis Island Physical Exam –If passed could enter –Could be quarantined to prevent the spread of any diseases –Could also be deported back to homeland –Families were split up

Passenger documents

Angel Island Where detainees would be held Picture of barracks Could be held for months Separated from families

European Immigrant Experience Europe: Italy Russia Ireland Political persecution No jobs Poor economy Famine Religious persecusion 1800’s : 2-3 week journey across Atlantic 1900’s: 1 week journey across Atlantic Ellis Island: Physical exam Show proper documents Find place to settle Usually in NY or wherever they could find shelter with family Country Why Immigrate? The Journey Upon Arrival Settlement

Asian Immigration Considered inferior mentally and physically After transcontinental railroad finished wanted to limit Asian immigration –Accepted low wages/took jobs 1880-Chinese Exclusion Act: excluded Chinese laborers from entering the country –Lasted until 1943

Asia: Chinese Japanese Same came for the gold rush Recruited in mid 1800’s to work on transcontinental railroad Worked hard labor for low wages Much longer across Pacific than across Atlantic Travel class depended on country Japanese were more powerful country  better travel conditions 1.Physical exam 2.Prove should not be excluded 3.Documents 4.Find a home Mostly in California and out west to work on railroads Country Why Immigrate? The Journey Upon Arrival Settlement

Mexico Fled Mexican Revolution & Civil War Violence and death pushed people out of Mexico Sought refuge here No ocean journey. Recruited to work across Southwest Farm hands Ranches Mines –Difficult jobs for cheap Texas, Arizona, New Mexico & California Country Why Immigrate? The Journey Upon Arrival Settlement

Immigration Restriction Act 1921 – law passes limiting immigration from Europe and Asia Labor shortages opened job opportunities for Mexicans

1.What situation is being shown in cartoon #1? ___________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 2.Looking at cartoon #1, what were some of the reasons why people wanted to come to the United States? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ______________________________

3.(a) What type of people are shown standing on the dock in cartoon #2?______________________ ____________________________________________ (b) Who does the person coming ashore represent? _____________________________ (c) What do the shadows behind the men on the dock represent?_________________ ________________________________________________ 4.How would you describe the situation shown in cartoon #2?______________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _____________