What is immigration? Immigration is the movement of people from one country or region to another in order to make a new home

Immigration before the Gilded Age (1820-1880) Most immigrants before the Gilded Age came from Northern Europe Ireland Germany United Kingdom Sweden

Immigration before the Gilded Age (1820-1880) After gold was discovered in California, many immigrants came to the West Coast from China Many worked as miners or railroad builders

Immigration during the Gilded Age and Progressive Era (1880-1920) The main sources of immigration were Southern and Eastern Europe Italy Poland Russia China still a major source for immigration to the West Coast

Why did immigrants come to the U.S.? Push Factors Things that made them want to leave their home country Pull Factors Things that made them want to come to the United States

Push Factors Religious Persecution Mandatory military service Famine Limited economic opportunities Especially for farmers

Pull Factors Greater political and religious freedoms Bill of Rights Employment opportunities Advertisements Connected to robber barons/captains of industry “Streets paved with gold” “Land of milk and honey”

Immigrant Life in the U.S. Had to adjust to English language and urban life Most did not speak English Most came from rural areas Crowded living conditions Dangerous work with low wages

Immigrant Life in the U.S. Created their own communities “Little Italy” or “Chinatown” Created organizations to help their fellow immigrants Irish Hibernian Association, Italian Knights of Columbus

Impact on the United States Increased population 10 million in 1820 50 million in 1880 100 million in 1920 Hastened urbanization Provided labor for industrialization Changed the religious and cultural makeup of the country