1. Immigration in the Gilded Age
If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name If you come around here, I make 'em all day I get one down in a second if you wait
--M.I.A.

2. Pre Industrialization
Before the Civil War and Industrialization, the north needed a large work force to work in the new factories
After the Civil War, immigrants from Europe and Asia filled the need for a larger work force
Mostly from England, Germany, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden
These “Old Immigrants” arrived before 1870

3. Changes to Immigration
3.5 million immigrants come to the United States in the 1890s Over half of the new immigrants are from Asia and southern and eastern Europe.

4. Ellis Island (NYC) and Angel Island (San Francisco)
Immigrants from Europe entered America through one of these islands
It was their first glimpse of America and where they were given medical tests and deemed if they were fit to enter the country

6. Impact of Immigration
Immigrants will make up a very large portion of the industrial working class
Immigrants will join labor unions in large numbers
Cities will grow rapidly  Government unable to keep up with growth
Common problems in Gilded Age cities:
Poverty
Crime
Sanitation and Disease

7. Nativism
Social Darwinist belief that those currently living in America and descending from English or German ancestors are superior
Wanted to preserve the purity of English and German descendants
Immigration Restriction League
Wanted to eliminate undesirable, foreign voters
Pushed for literacy and residency requirements for voting

8. Nativism

9. Nativism

10. Nativism

11. Nativism

12. Chinese Exclusion
Intense racism towards Chinese immigrants, especially on the West Coast result in 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act Segregation, discrimination, and violence occur towards Chinese Americans

13. Chinese Building Railroads

14. Chinese Building Railroads

15. Chinese Building Railroads

16. Arguments Used Against Immigrants in the Gilded Age
Impurity of their race Infected with disease Unable to adapt to American culture Speak a different language Taking the jobs of Americans

17. Immigration Prompt
Imagine that you are a Chinese male who has just arrived at Angel Island OR a female Russian Jew just who just arrived at Ellis Island.
Write TWO paragraphs that describes what you see and how you feel. Consider:
Why did you come to America?
What did your expectation of what America would be like compare to the reality?
What your plan once you arrived in America would be (career, housing, etc)?
Are you hopeful for your future in America? What challenges will you face as an immigrant?