1. Chapter 14, Section 4 The New Immigrants p. 499-505
Millions of new immigrants come to the United States seeking freedom and opportunities.

2. 14.4 section focus question:
How was the experience of immigrants both positive and negative?

3. A Fresh Start Why Immigrate?
Main Idea: In the late 1800s, a new wave of immigrants come to the United States for economic and political reasons.
Between over 25 million immigrants enter the U.S.
Why Immigrate?
U.S. was the “land of opportunity”
Jobs in cities
Can make a better life
Religious freedom
pogroms - violent religious persecution against Jews
Political unrest (revolutions)
Liberty, Freedom and Democracy!
Immigration, (p. 500)

4. Immigrants at Ellis Island, New York, 1912
Old & New Immigrants
Old immigrants (before 1880):
mostly from Britain, Germany, Scandinavia, and Ireland (Western Europe)
Primarily spoke English
were Protestant (except Irish)
settled outside cities to become farmers
New immigrants: from Southern & Eastern Europe & Asia (starting in the 1900s)
English not 1st language
settle in the cities
are Catholic, Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Buddhists…
Immigrants at Ellis Island, New York, 1912

5. Immigrants view “Lady Liberty” for the first time.
Starting a New Life
 Main Idea: Immigrants face many challenges to settle in the United States.
Most immigrants had to travel as steerage passengers.
cheapest method of traveling by ship, next to the steering mechanisms or cattle
Anyone see Titanic?
Most land in New York, on Ellis Island.
Have to pass a health inspection
More Ellis Island on next page….
Move into isolated, ethnic neighborhoods
Immigrants keep the language, culture, history, and even their holidays alive in the U.S.
Immigrants view “Lady Liberty” for the first time.

6. Ellis Island, NY/NJ Federal Immigration Station (1892-1954)
Where is Ellis Island?
First glimpse of the “New World”

7. Ellis Island, NY/NJ Federal Immigration Station (1892-1954)
Had to pass inspection
Health inspection…
Mental inspection...

8. Ellis Island, NY/NJ Federal Immigration Station (1892-1954)
Over 12 million passed.
About 100 million current U.S. citizens can trace ancestors to Ellis Island.
That’s about 1 out of every 3 Americans.

9. Becoming American
 Main Idea: For many immigrants, the goal is to become part of American life and culture.
Many immigrants go through the process of assimilation
becoming part of another culture
Children assimilate more rapidly than adults. Why?
Immigrants make major contributions to building America
Factory workers, miners, construction workers…
Open businesses: barbers, grocers, restaurants, merchants
Carnegie, Bell, MGM……
Form ethnic neighbors like “Chinatown” and “Little Italy”
The cultural diversity of New York

10. Nativists’ View of Immigration
A New Wave of Nativism
 Main Idea: Many Americans distrust immigrants and call for limits on immigration.
Nativists fear new immigrants will take away jobs from Americans.
Believe Americans will lose their language, culture, and history
Nativists fear anarchists are secretly entering the nation.
persons who oppose all forms of government
Groups like the Immigration Restriction League convince Congress to pass anti-immigration legislation.
Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)
Mandatory Literacy Exams
Immigration Quotas
Nativists’ View of Immigration
(see p. 502)

11. 14.4 section focus question:
How was the experience of immigrants both positive and negative?
The passage to the U.S. was difficult, and many immigrants had trouble fitting into American society. However, they created vibrant communities with other immigrants, and many achieved success in America.