Coming at You From All Sides U.S. Immigration Chapter 7, Section 1 Notes

The East Side Port Ellis Island was a major port through which Europeans entered the United States Ellis Island was a major port through which Europeans entered the United States Ellis Island was generally more fair to immigrants than Angel Island Ellis Island was generally more fair to immigrants than Angel Island 20% of all immigrants were detained for a day or more before inspection to be allowed in the country 20% of all immigrants were detained for a day or more before inspection to be allowed in the country Only 2% denied entry into the U.S. Only 2% denied entry into the U.S.

Ellis Island

With Ellis Island off in the distance, the first thing new immigrants passed as they entered New York Harbor was the Statue of Liberty.

Ferries docking at Ellis Island

Entry

Baggage Room

Registry Room

Bunks in the Mezzanine

29 Questions U.S. Department of Labor U.S. Department of Labor Immigration Service Immigration Service SALOON, CABIN AND STEERAGE ALIENS MUST BE COMPLETELY INSPECTED THIS SHEET FOR STEERAGE PASSANGERS ___ Page 1. Number on List14. Whether having a ticket to23. Condition of Health 2. Name in Full final destination.24. Deformed or crippled 3. Age15. By whom passage paid?25. Height 4. Sex16. Whether in possession of $ Complexion 5. Married / Single17. Whether ever in U.S. before.27. Color of eyes / hair 6. Occupation18. Whether going to join relative;28. Identifying marks 7. Able to Read / Write if so, list name and address29. Place of Birth 8. Nationality19. Ever in prison, almshouse, Country/City/Town institution for care of insane etc. 9. Race 10. Last Residence20. Whether a Polygamist. 11. Name & Address21. Whether an Anarchist. of relative in native country22. Whether coming with an offer, of relative in native country22. Whether coming with an offer, 12. Final Destination promise, or agreement of labor. 13. No. on list (most important questions were #2, 6, 15, 16, and 22)

The East Side Port How do you get in? How do you get in? Immigrants had to pass a physical and anyone with a serious health problem or contagious disease was sent home Immigrants had to pass a physical and anyone with a serious health problem or contagious disease was sent home Immigrants had to pass the government inspector also to make sure they met the legal requirements for entry Immigrants had to pass the government inspector also to make sure they met the legal requirements for entry Not a felon Not a felon Able to work Able to work Show they have at least some money (at least $25 after 1909) Show they have at least some money (at least $25 after 1909)

The West Side Port Angel Island was quite harsh to immigrants, mostly Chinese immigrants Angel Island was quite harsh to immigrants, mostly Chinese immigrants Immigrants endured harsh questioning and a long detention in disgusting buildings Immigrants endured harsh questioning and a long detention in disgusting buildings If they got into America, they still had to find a job, a place to live, and try to learn the culture If they got into America, they still had to find a job, a place to live, and try to learn the culture Because it was difficult, ethnic communities came together to help one another Because it was difficult, ethnic communities came together to help one another

Hey Chinese: We Don’t Want You! We talked about the Chinese Exclusion Act last week but not in depth We talked about the Chinese Exclusion Act last week but not in depth Chinese Exclusion Act Chinese Exclusion Act 1882: Banned Chinese except students, teachers, merchants, tourists, and government officials from entering the country for 10 years 1882: Banned Chinese except students, teachers, merchants, tourists, and government officials from entering the country for 10 years 1892: Act extended 10 more years 1892: Act extended 10 more years 1902: Act extended indefinitely 1902: Act extended indefinitely 1943: Act finally repealed 1943: Act finally repealed Why did we have it? Why did we have it? Answer: There was a fear that jobs would go to the Chinese immigrants instead of Americans because the immigrants would take lower wages to work Answer: There was a fear that jobs would go to the Chinese immigrants instead of Americans because the immigrants would take lower wages to work

It’s not exactly holding a door open for a lady… Well, Japanese kids had also been segregated; they were placed into separate San Francisco schools from other Americans Well, Japanese kids had also been segregated; they were placed into separate San Francisco schools from other Americans The Gentlemen’s Agreement was a compromise between U.S. and Japanese governments The Gentlemen’s Agreement was a compromise between U.S. and Japanese governments Japan agreed to limit emigration of unskilled workers to the U.S. so Japanese students could go to regular schools in San Francisco Japan agreed to limit emigration of unskilled workers to the U.S. so Japanese students could go to regular schools in San Francisco

America’s Not Always Beautiful Americanization movement Americanization movement Kind of a cousin to the Assimilation of Indians (same concept) Kind of a cousin to the Assimilation of Indians (same concept) This was an attempt to get ethnic groups to “be American” This was an attempt to get ethnic groups to “be American” They learned English, U.S. History, and Government They learned English, U.S. History, and Government Cooking and social etiquette were taught Cooking and social etiquette were taught Many immigrants argued against Americanization, as they did not want to give up their traditions Many immigrants argued against Americanization, as they did not want to give up their traditions Instead, many ethnic groups continued to live together in crowded neighborhoods Instead, many ethnic groups continued to live together in crowded neighborhoods Ex: Chinatown in San Francisco Ex: Chinatown in San Francisco Ex: Little Italy in Cleveland (yes, I know that’s not on the west coast) Ex: Little Italy in Cleveland (yes, I know that’s not on the west coast)