1. The New Immigrants Chapter 15—Page 460
Quote page 460—What Immigrants thought
Europeans: > 20 million came to America.
Why did most come?
Religious Freedom
Economy
Rise in Population in homeland
(Population in Europe doubled in 19th Century)

2. Presidents of the Era: 1880—James Garfield—shot and killed
1881—Chester Arthur—takes over for Garfield
1884—Grover Cleveland—only President to be re-elected after a defeat.
1888—Benjamin Harrison—Grandfather served in 1841—shortest term.
1892—Grover Cleveland
1896/1900—William McKinley—”Expansionist”—shot in 1901
1901/04—Teddy Roosevelt—Later becomes, “Rough Rider”
1908—William Howard Taft—”largest man as President”

3. Immigrants in America:
“Birds of Passage”—come to America, earn money, then head home!
Ellis Island: Point of entry for European immigrants. (Approx. 2% were denied)
From 1892 to 1924 about 17 million passed through this point.

4. Processing Immigrants:
What was the procedure?
1) Physical Exam
2) Can you work? Criminal Record?
3) Do you have money? ($25 needed after 1909)

5. Immigrants From West Coast:
“Angel Island”
Dirty, more harsh than Ellis Island
Early on, not as many passing through Angel Island.

6. Immigrant Restrictions:
Large numbers caused Anti immigrant feelings
“Nativism” favoritism shown toward American born citizens.
“Nativists” were more afraid of foreign religions than ethnic backgrounds.

7. Chinese Exclusion Act 1882:
Examples of Laws:
Chinese Exclusion Act 1882:
10 Year ban on Chinese immigrants—not officially repealed until 1943!

8. Effect in America of Immigration Boom:
“Urbanization” growth of cities over rural areas…why?
Big movement in America…country to city
Former slaves struggling here: From 1890 to 1910 >200,000 former slaves moved to big cities for jobs.

9. More effects of Movement to Cities:
Housing and transportation could not keep up.
Government tried to impose minimum standards for housing: plumbing, heating, ventilation. Not really enforced.
“Tenements” Multi family dwellings.
Mass Transit Street cars in San Fran, Electric subways in NY and Boston. Busing in most big cities

10. Feeling in America B/C of Immigrants:
Job shortage
Housing shortage
Over crowding of large cities
New religions
Violence b/c of recessions—blamed on immigrants
Laws to stop all out immigration!
Assassinations lead to more prejudice—Will talk about Garfield and McKinley cases.