New Immigrants immigrants had come from northern Europe since before the American Revolution – United Kingdom (England, Scotland, & Irish) – Germany – Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, & Finland) fewer immigrants came from these countries – they already had industrialized countries

New Immigrants southern & eastern Europe eastern Mediterranean much of these areas controlled by – Russian Empire – Austro-Hungarian Empire – Ottoman (Turkish) Empire

New Immigrants reasons for leaving: – overpopulation – lack of jobs – mistreatment by government America offered: – jobs – opportunity – freedom

Crossing the Ocean 1860s  steamships replaced sailing ships companies in Britain & Germany built passenger ships steamships were strong & sturdy – took danger out of crossing ocean

Crossing the Ocean steamships were also faster steamships didn’t have to worry about winds steamships could operate on any schedule cheap passage available – single men could come to America for a few months or years & go home

Ellis Island: Gate to America 1886: Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor 1892: Ellis Island opened as immigration center What happened at Ellis Island?

Medical Checkups checked for diseases & other health impairments depending on the disease, an immigrant could be – turned away – kept on the island until improvement

Processing inspectors might ask immigrants: – Name? – Occupation? – Who paid your fare? – Can you read & write? – How much money do you have? – Have you ever been in prison or the poorhouse? – Where are you going?

Name Changes during this processing, names often changed names that were difficult to pronounce or spell were changed American-sounding names

Immigrants Settled settled where there was work – mines – mills – factories beginning of 1900s half of all immigrants settled in four states – New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, & Illinois

Immigrants Settled most immigrants ended up where relatives were located – many immigrants had relatives in America pay their way most immigrants ended up doing similar jobs to what their relatives did