1. The Masses Come to America
Immigration
The Masses Come to America

2. A Nation of Immigrants
**The United States is a “nation of many nations” or a “melting pot”.
**Immigration to the U.S. had a direct and major
impact on urbanization.
**We are a nation of cultural pluralism and ethnic diversity.

3. Immigration in the Gilded Age
**From , the U.S. saw major
growth in industry and manufacturing.
This was made possible by the large
number of immigrants who came to
the country.

4. Old Immigrants **Old immigrants were those who came to
the United States before 1860.
1. England, Ireland, Scotland
2. Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavia
3. Africa*
*Although not fair in
complexion, they did
come before 1860.

5. Why the Old Immigrants Came
Political Reasons
-No say in government
-Lack of Freedom
-Political Unrest
Economic Reasons
-Little opportunity to own land
-Famines
-Crop Failures
-Promise of a new life
-Slaves
Social Reasons
-Religious persecution

6. Impact of Early Immigration
Not only did Immigrants learn our culture (assimilation) but they also contributed to our culture (acculteration)
The contributions of early immigrants cannot be overstated. The very foundation of America is built upon the ideas, skills and culture they brought with them.
-English - -governments, language and
cultural traditions that would
become America.
-Irish constructed transportation routes
- - structure of Catholic church
-Germans - -farming techniques and education
traditions.

7. Traits of the “Old” Immigrant
From northern or western Europe
English, Irish, Swedish, German
Protestant (Baptist, Calvinists, Methodists)
Literate and skilled
Came in families
Quick to assimilate
Experienced in ways of democracy
Had some money in their pockets (some wealthy)
Tall and fair
Spoke English
Similar customs and traditions as Americans

8. “New Immigration”

10. Characteristics of the “New Immigrant”
From Southern and Eastern Europe
-Russia, Italy, Greece, Poland, Austria-Hungary, Slavic Nations
Many young males
Many Catholics and Jews
Mostly unskilled agricultural laborers
Little money or education
“I once thought to write a history of the immigrants in America. Then I discovered that immigrants WERE American history.”
--Oscar Handlin (Journal 1)

11. Push Factors (Get Out!!!) Economic Problems
-Land loss due to farm commercialization
-Rising Populations
-Heavy taxation
Political Problems
-Religious persecution (Especially against Jews)
-Ethnic persecution (minorities who come to work in factories)
-Forced military service (Including young boys)

12. Pull Factors (Come on in!)
The Lure of Life in America (Work, land, and LIES!!)
“That was the time, you see, when America was known to foreigners as the land where you’d get rich. There’s gold on the sidewalk– all you have to do is pick it up!”-Lithuanian immigrant
Temporary Work
-birds of passage- -Eastern and Southern European
immigrants who came only to earn
money to go home and buy land.

13. **Many of these “new immigrants” moved into large cities with ethnic enclaves. They were forced to live in tenements. **Many Americans and “Old Immigrants” did not like the “New Immigrants”, and therefore, practiced an attitude of Nativism. Blamed new immigrant for: -crime -taking jobs -overcrowding -unsanitary conditions

15. Most of the “New Immigrants” pass through
Ellis Island (“Island of Tears”) where they must pass
legal and health inspections or be deported.

16. Ellis Island Inspections

17. Leaving Ellis Island Make travel arrangements Exchange money
Collect baggage
2/3 going elsewhere; 1/3 stay in NY
Welcome to America…Now what???
-2/3 settle in urban centers and ethnic enclaves
(community, familiarity)
-They keep their own newspapers, customs, food,
churches, clothing
“Here no one goes to bed on an empty stomach because one Pole will save another, if he can.” –Polish immigrant

18. Jacob Riis
-reporter and photographer
-writes book called How the Other Half Lives
-brings attention to horrible conditions of the tenements/slums
-one of the first muckrakers

19. Review: Old v. New

20. Practice Questions
What group immigrated to America in the mid-19th
century primarily due to severe crop failures?
a. Germans
b. Irish
c. Spanish
d. Italian

21. Which 19th century immigrants most triggered
a nativist reaction from Americans?
a. Southeast Asians
b. Northern and Western Europeans
c. Central and South Americans
d. Southern and Eastern Europeans

22. Which of the following statements is true?
a. Immigration to the U.S. peaked in the two
decades before the Civil War
b. Immigration to the U.S. was permitted only after
the Civil War
c. Immigration to the U.S. rose substantially in
the years but then declined steeply.
d. Immigration to the U.S. climbed steadily in
the period of

23. Which of the following identifies a shift in
immigration patterns in the 1880’s?
a. More immigrants began to settle in rural areas
than in urban areas.
b. Immigrants refused to take low-paying, blue
collar jobs.
c. The number of Italian immigrants declined
drastically.
d. “New” immigrants from southern and eastern
Europe began to outnumber “old” immigrants
from northern and western Europe.

24. Soon after 1900, a dense concentration of
Jewish immigrants could be found in
a. San Francisco, California
b. Chicago, Illinois
c. Washington, D.C.
d. The Lower East Side of New York City

25. In the late 1800’s how did social and political
unrest in Europe affect the United States?
a. United States military forces were deployed
to Europe.
b. European immigrants sought refuge in the
United States
c. European nations requested mediation led by
the United States.
d. United States political influence declined in
Europe.