Chapter 20: An Urban Society 1865-1914 The New Immigrants What were some characteristics of the new wave of immigrants that arrived after 1865?
The “OLD” Immigrants Before 1865: Mainly Northern and Western Europeans
After 1900: Eastern and Southern Europeans began arriving .
Differences: Religion (many Catholics and Jews), non-English speaking, looked different Also: Other groups arrive- Mexicans, Chinese, Japanese
Leaving Troubles Behind- Push/Pull Factors “Push” factors: Economic troubles: poverty, joblessness, overcrowding, crop failures, not owning land, new machines replace workers Persecution: laws or policies passed against certain ethnic groups
“Pull” factors Opportunity: A place of jobs, plentiful land, and better life
Settling in America: Seeking Opportunity Journey: Travel – two weeks across Atlantic Ocean, or several weeks across Pacific Ocean, usually in steerage
Eastern/Southern Europeans -In East: Castle Garden/Ellis Island (1892) 1st stop
Asians In West: Angel Island (San Francisco)
What happened there? 1st step: ferry to the island 2nd step: Examiners record names, country of origin, occupation, relatives in U.S. 3rd step: Health examination What if you didn’t pass the inspection? You may be sent back to your homeland, or you may be sent to the hospital complex on Ellis Island
The Immigrant Experience Jobs- settled where they found work Examples: -factories (mills, steel, clothing, etc) -sweatshops -general laborers
Becoming Americans: Adjusting to America Melting Pot Blending called assimilation: process of becoming part of the American culture
Building Communities Ethnic neighborhoods develop -immigrants settled with people of same culture (language, religion, experiences) LITTLE ITALY Chinatown
The Nativist Movement Immigration caused prejudice; led to restrictions -immigrants blamed for problems 1882: Chinese Exclusion Act: Prohibited Chinese workers from entering the United States for 10 years Immigration Act of 1917: Literacy Requirement -Had to read or write in some language