Chapter 7, section 1

  Prior to the 1880s immigrants came from Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, and Scandinavia  Most were Protestants Old immigrants

  Southern and Eastern Europe (about 20 million)  China and Japan (about 500,000)  West Indies (about 260,000)  Mexico (about 700,000) *Many were Catholic, Jewish, or Orthodox New Immigrants

  Famine in their home countries  Land shortages  Religious persecution  Political persecution Why did they come?

  Almost everyone came by steamship  Journey across the Atlantic was 1 week  Journey across the Pacific was 3 weeks How did they get here?

  Located in NYC  Process took 5 hours  Had to pass a physical  Had to have documents proving they had never been convicted of a felony  Had to have some money ($25)  17 million immigrants went through here  Angel Island was located in San Francisco (processed 50,000 people) Ellis Island

  Had to find a place to live  Had to find a job  Unfamiliar language  Unfamiliar culture Challenges once they arrived…..

  Most settled in cities  They tended to move into neighborhoods with other people of the same nationality  Many lived in tenements – poorly built, overcrowded apartments Immigrant Life

  Many people were ok with immigrants from the “right” countries – Britain, Germany, Scandinavia – who were white Protestants  They wanted a “melting pot” – where people came here and tried to blend in  They were especially opposed to Catholics and Jews  Immigration from China was banned Nativism