Chapter 21, Section 1: New Immigrants in a Promised Land Main Idea: In the late 1800s, millions of “new immigrants” came to the United States in search of economic opportunity and freedom.

A. Why Immigrants Came Pull Factors – Between 1865 & 1915, over 25 million immigrants came to the US. Many of them became the industrial workers we discussed last chapter. Why did they come? Push Factors – conditions that drive people away from their homeland 1. Overpopulation – scarce land, overcrowding, disease 2. Poor Economy – poverty & hardship (potato famine in Ireland, lack of jobs) 3. Persecution – religious (Jews in Russia - pogroms) & political (revolution, civil war, unrest) Pull Factors – conditions that attract people to a new place 1. Economic Opportunity – lots of jobs due to industry 2. Promise of Freedom – religious & political 3. Family – someone already here 4. Hope for a Better Life – “streets are paved with gold”

late 19th and early 20th centuries Immigration late 19th and early 20th centuries promise of freedom and a better life fleeing persecution famine / poverty join family and friends political turmoil Push Factors Pull Factors jobs in factories and mines lack of farmland in Europe cheap land and passage to America

On the West Coast (West Siiiiiide!) B. A Difficult Journey The voyage across the ocean was often miserable. Most immigrants traveled in steerage, the lowest deck & cheapest ticket on the ship. It was often crowded, dirty & disease-ridden. This space was often used to ship cattle to Europe on the return trip. On the East Coast (East Siiiiiide!) Mostly European immigrants who arrived in New York City (reason why largest city now) The Statue of Liberty (gift from France) greeted arrivals in NYC after 1886. It came to symbolize hope & freedom. Emma Lazarus wrote “The New Colossus” (…give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…). Ellis Island – processing station from 1892-1954 where immigrants were received. inspection (physical & mental exams) - the “stair test,” sick would be detained & maybe deported background check - criminal history?, mental disease?, former job?, immediate & future plans?, $? registration (some name changes were made here; sometimes intentionally, sometimes not) About half of all US immigrants went through Ellis Island (12 out of 25 million). 99% got in. On the West Coast (West Siiiiiide!) Angel Island – processing station that was open from 1910-1940 in San Francisco for mostly Asian immigrants crossing the Pacific Ocean. Saw much less traffic than Ellis Isle. Long delays were common due to Americans wanting to discourage Asian immigration.

German ship carrying immigrants to Ellis Island in steerage German ship carrying immigrants to Ellis Island in steerage. (below deck)

The pens at Ellis Island, main hall The pens at Ellis Island, main hall. These people have passed the first mental inspection. (1902-1913)

Angel Island From 1910 to 1940, thousands of immigrants, mostly Asian, entered the United States through Angel Island, CA.

C. “Old” & “New” Immigrants “Old Immigration” 1. Came before 1885 2. Came from NW Europe (England, Ireland, Germany, etc.) 3. Tended to settle on open land (still cheap & available) & farm * This group had an easier time “fitting in” due to common languages, religions, customs, & traditions with those already here. “New Immigration” 1. Came after 1885 2. Came from SE Europe (Italy, Poland, Russia, Greece, etc.), Asia (on West Coast) & Lat. Amer. 3. Tended to settle in cities for factory jobs (industry) * This group had it more difficult due to prejudices held by those already here (different languages, religions, customs & traditions).

D. Adapting to American Life Reality often differed from expectations: “1st, the streets were not paved w/ gold. 2nd, the streets were not paved at all. 3rd, they expected me to pave them.” Top priority became finding work. Because of the rise of industry, many stayed in cities for factory jobs. “Which way EJ?” – Endicott (Italian) & JC (Polish, Slovak, etc.) City slums became packed with immigrants (NYC). Immigrant Neighborhoods Most immigrants settled in ethnic neighborhoods (Little Italy, China Town), called ghettoes. This helped them adjust to a new country & keep their old ways. Familiar language, foods, holidays, religions, etc. Learning to Be American Acculturation/Assimilation – process of adapting to a new culture while holding on to some old traditions. Kids assimilated quicker because: 1. School (learned English, US history, etc.) – kids often had to act as interpreters for their parents 2. Less attached to the old ways & wanted to fit in more quickly than their parents. We love social studies!

Adjusting to a New Land · Most immigrants stayed in the cities where they landed. · By 1900, lower Manhattan was the most crowded place in the world. (Hester Street, ca. 1900 )

Little Italy, New York City Jewish vendor on Lower East Side, NYC · Immigrants adjusted by settling in communities with people of their own ethnic group. Little Italy, New York City Jewish vendor on Lower East Side, NYC

Acculturation was a long, slow process. Assimilation - process whereby a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the majority culture.

E. Nativists Oppose Immigration Nativist – people who wanted to limit immigration & preserve the US for native–born WASPs Reasons for anti-immigrant feelings: 1. Overcrowding – US was becoming a dumping ground for Europe’s worst problems 2. Prejudice – new immigrants had different customs, languages, religions, etc. 3. Job protection - complained that immigrants took American jobs & kept everyone’s wages low 4. Politics – fear that new immigrants were ruining American ideals & institutions with foreign ones (anarchism, atheism, communism, etc.) Chinese Exclusion Act As Chinese immigration grew in the West, prejudice & violence against them did too. Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) – Congress barred Chinese immigration for 10 years & those who left couldn’t return (renewed several (5) times) Restricting Immigration American Protective Society – urged Congress to pass laws restricting immigration (language bill) The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 limited the number of immigrants from each country Heavily favored Northern European nations (Britain). In 1924, immigration from Eastern Europe was further reduced. RIOTia MAFIAa LABOR AGITATIONia ROBBERYa BLOODSHED LYNCHING

Looking Backward

Chinese Exclusion Act - 1882