 Imagine you are immigrating to a new country in  If you could only bring one suitcase of belongings to your new country what would you take?  Why did you choose those items?

 Until the 1890’s most immigrants to the US were from Europe, specifically Western and Northern Europe.  England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and Scandinavia.

 Beginning in the 1890’s more immigrants began arriving from Southern and Eastern Europe.  Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary, Greece, and Poland.  These immigrants arrived on the East coast and moved throughout the nation.

 In addition to European immigrants the US saw Asian immigrants during this time period.  China and Japan.  These immigrants arrived in California, Oregon, and Washington. Many moved throughout the US seeking work but a larger percentage stayed on the west coast.

 Mexico also saw emigrants leave for the US.  The US provided a more stable country with additional opportunities for work.  Additional farming opportunities drew many farm workers after 1902 when the US began irrigating much of the West’s arid landscape.

 Reasons for emigrating: the PUSH factors  Eastern Europeans- Religious persecution (Jews), rising population, scarcity of land, and too few jobs/unemployment.  East Asians- Too few jobs and little economic opportunity.

 Reasons for Emigrating: The PULL factors.  Eastern Europeans- Much land available, jobs were supposedly plentiful, and independence and freedoms.  Eastern Asians- Much higher wages, jobs, and social mobility.

 Many European immigrants arrived at Ellis Island in New York harbor.  Immigrants had to undergo inspection and about 2% of immigrants were denied entry to the US.  Had to pass a physical exam and have the required documents.  Most immigrants passed through the terminal in one day.

 Angel Island located in San Francisco Bay was where many immigrants from East Asia arrived.  Immigrants to Angel Island endured a much more harsh environment including:  Harsh questioning and long detentions.  Why do you think these immigrants went through a different process?

 Many immigrants found it easier to begin their new lives in areas where other immigrants from the same home country lived.  This helped establish ethnic communities that still exist today.  What are some reasons people would congregate in areas of a city with immigrants from the same country?

 Many native-born Americans thought that immigrants should assimilate by abandoning their native languages and customs.  Many new immigrants did not want to give up their cultural identities.  This led to strong anti-immigrant feelings among many native-born Americans.

 Nativism - a response to immigration by native- born Americans that involved a belief that Anglo-Saxons were superior to other ethnic groups.  British, German, and Scandinavians were OK.  Slavs, Italians, Latinos, and Asians were PROBLEMS.

 Nativism and a fear of loosing their jobs to immigrants helped lead to to intense anti- Chinese sentiment. As a result congress passed the…  Chinese Exclusion Act- Banned entry to all Chinese except students, teachers, merchants, tourists, and government officials.

 The Gentlemen’s Agreement- Japan agreed to limit emigration to the US in exchange for the repeal of the San Francisco segregation order.

 Old Immigration= Western & Northern Europeans.  New Immigration= Southern, Eastern Europeans, Mexico, & Eastern Asians.  Ellis Island = NYC & Angel Island = San Fran.  Nativism= persecution/opposition to New Immigrants. A person who thought this was a Nativist.  The Chinese Exclusion Act and The Gentleman’s Agreement barred Chinese and Japanese Immigrants.

 CHAPTER 7 Section 2  Read pages 262 – 266  Main Ideas A – C  Map Questions Page 263 #1 – 2  Terms & Names defined into notebook.

 Which group of immigrants do you think faced the greatest challenges upon reaching the United States?  Why?