THE HUDDLED MASSES The New Immigrants:

Where In The World? South. & East. Europe – East CoastSouth. & East. Europe – East Coast –17 mil: 1892 – 1924 –1 mil: 1907 China & Japan – West CoastChina & Japan – West Coast –300,000 Chin: 1851 – 1883 –200,000 Jap. by 1920 West Indies (Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico) – South/So.East West Indies (Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico) – South/So.East –260,000: 1880 – 1920 Mexico – So.West/West Mexico – So.West/West –700,000 by 1922

Why Come? Most are lower classes w/limited skillsMost are lower classes w/limited skills Come for econ. opp.Come for econ. opp. –Own land; JOBS! –Misconceptions of wealth in U.S. Religious freedomReligious freedom Political rightsPolitical rights Independence from family; Be ModernIndependence from family; Be Modern

Difficult Journey Cargo area on steamships –C–Cheapest –M–Most time in cargo-hold due to poor weather Horrible Conditions –O–Overcrowded –D–Dirty; Shared Toilets (no showers) –D–Diseases spread; some died

Immigration Depots Ellis Island – est. 1892Ellis Island – est –Just beyond Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor –Very efficient –Clean & healthy facility –Moved thousands of peeps thru in a day About 5+ hours to get thru ALL of the inspection stationsAbout 5+ hours to get thru ALL of the inspection stations Angel Island – est –N–Near Golden Gate Bridge in S.F. Bay –H–Harsh questioning –F–Filthy facilities –L–Longer detentions (days)

Inspection Stations New fed. guidelines for extensive & careful exam. of each immigrantNew fed. guidelines for extensive & careful exam. of each immigrant Multi. physical & mentalMulti. physical & mental –Would be detained or sent back if not past Legal requirementsLegal requirements –No criminals; prop docs.(like passports,birth certs.) –Had some $$ Name registry = Where your name can changeName registry = Where your name can change –Not all immigrants could spell their name in English –Registrar spelled it like it sounded; guessed at handwriting on ship manifest; or shortened it

Through the “Golden Door” ChallengesChallenges –Housing; Jobs –Understand U.S. lang. & culture Americanization Movement = assimilate & teach foreigners Am. culture & social normsAmericanization Movement = assimilate & teach foreigners Am. culture & social norms Solutions Solutions –Formed ethnic communities Source of comfort Speak lang., religions, & cult. Values of old country Built churches; printed newspapers in native lang.

As more immigrants came, neg. feelings emerged from native-born Ams.As more immigrants came, neg. feelings emerged from native-born Ams. –“Blame game” against immigrants Nativists disliked immigrantsNativists disliked immigrants –Wanted to keep their own culture rather than embrace U.S. –“Wrong” immigrants from East Euro., Latin Am., & Asia –Believed Anglo-Saxon Protestants were superior; all others inferior Anti-Immigrant Feelings

Discrimination 1870s - Feared Chinese workers would take jobs ‘cuz they would accept lower wages (West Coast mostly)1870s - Feared Chinese workers would take jobs ‘cuz they would accept lower wages (West Coast mostly) Chinese Exclusion Act – 1882; extended in 1892Chinese Exclusion Act – 1882; extended in 1892 –1 st major law restricting immigration –Limited immigration from China & prohibited citizenship Literacy test for new immigrants Literacy test for new immigrants –Must read 40 words in English

Urban Boom Most immigrants lived in new cities of I.R.Most immigrants lived in new cities of I.R. –Cheap & close to jobs Rural peeps moved to cities for jobsRural peeps moved to cities for jobs –New farming machines = less farm labor needed A.A. moved to N.E. cities = part of “Great Migration”A.A. moved to N.E. cities = part of “Great Migration” –Escaped racial violence & political oppression of South after Reconstruction –Still found segregation & discrimination in N.E. Quickly became overcrowded = slumsQuickly became overcrowded = slums Tensions increased between ALL groupsTensions increased between ALL groups

Summarize Your Notes Highlighting the key points about the tidal wave of immigration at the turn of the century you learned.