1. Immigrant Experiences
Chapter 15
Immigrant Experiences

2. 15.2 Why Europeans Immigrated to the United States
1840s to 1890s from Northern and Western Europe
Irish, British, Germans, and Scandinavians
Late 1800s Eastern and Southern Europe
Italians, Greeks, Hungarians, Poles, and Russians
Push Factors
problems that cause people to move
Population Growth, Hunger, Lack of Arable Land, religious persecution
Pull Factors
attractions that draw them to another place.
Free and democratic society, land, jobs b/c of industry, stories from friends

3. 15.3 To Ellis Island and Beyond
Ellis Island Immigration Station
Most immigrants when through here
Medical Examination
Deported if disabled or had disease
Legal Interviews
29 questions
20% failed, 2% Deported
Most headed for cities, lived in cheap housing, and settled around others from their native country

4. 15.4 Responses to New European Immigrants
Most were not welcomed in the U.S.
Lack of money and education
Help
No government help
Friends or family
Immigrant aid society
Settlement Houses
Political bosses
Assimilation
Mainly done through schools
Nativism
Did not like immigrants, saw them as a threat

5. 15.5 Immigration from Asia Many immigrants came from Asia as well
Mainly Chinese, but Korean, Japanese and Filipino as well
Mostly Men
Worked on RRs, mining, and farming
They were willing to work for less money, which caused friction
Blamed for Economic Problems
Lead to the Chinese Exclusion Act
Couldn’t become citizens and no more could come for 10 years
Angel Island- Ellis Island of the West
15.6- Many people came from Canada and Mexico as well, borders were relatively unguarded.