1. Immigration: There’s No Place Like Home Between 1860 and 1900, almost 14 million people came to America looking for new opportunities and a new home.

2. America as Nation of Immigrants “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, the tempesttost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” -Emma Lazarus

3. Reasons for Immigrating: Religious turmoil Religious turmoil Political turmoil Political turmoil Economic reasons Economic reasons

4. Immigration Waves in US History Before 1776 1840-1860—largely northern European, especially England, Ireland and Germany—approx. 4.5 million 1900-1920—largely Southern and Eastern European, including Polish and Russian Jews, Italian, Greek— approx. 14.5 million 20th century, in much fewer numbers (for example, Chinese immigrants built US railroads)

5. Before 1776... Half of all white laborers were indentured servants who were usually from England. Half of all white laborers were indentured servants who were usually from England. Indentured servants were not slaves; however, they were not permitted to leave their master until their debt was paid off. Indentured servants were not slaves; however, they were not permitted to leave their master until their debt was paid off.

6. Before 1776... Indentured servants agreed to work in exchange for passage to the new world. Indentured servants agreed to work in exchange for passage to the new world. Once debts were paid, servants were free to work for whom and where they wanted. This led to a need for constant labor. Once debts were paid, servants were free to work for whom and where they wanted. This led to a need for constant labor. Inexpensive, plentiful labor was available in the form of slavery. By 1790, 1 million African slaves were living in America. Inexpensive, plentiful labor was available in the form of slavery. By 1790, 1 million African slaves were living in America.

7. Immigration After the 1800s Dramatic population increases in Europe- too many people in Europe. Dramatic population increases in Europe- too many people in Europe. Spread of commercial agricultural. People with subsistence farms can no longer compete with large farms. Spread of commercial agricultural. People with subsistence farms can no longer compete with large farms. Commercial farmer- a person who grows surplus (extra) food to sell for profit. Commercial farmer- a person who grows surplus (extra) food to sell for profit. Subsistence farmer-a person who grows only enough food for himself and his family. Subsistence farmer-a person who grows only enough food for himself and his family.

8. Immigration After the 1800s Rise of the factory system, need for inexpensive labor. Rise of the factory system, need for inexpensive labor. Inexpensive transportation available. Example- steamships and rail road. Inexpensive transportation available. Example- steamships and rail road.

9. New immigrant “welcome mat” Immigrants during the 1840’s meet resistance from some Americans. Immigrants during the 1840’s meet resistance from some Americans. Immigrants were seen as different, and the Irish were resented because of their Catholicism. There was a long tradition of friction between English Protestantism and Irish Catholicism. Immigrants were seen as different, and the Irish were resented because of their Catholicism. There was a long tradition of friction between English Protestantism and Irish Catholicism.

10. Problems Immigrants Experienced Through the Early 20 th Century Poor labor conditions-low wages, dangerous jobs, long hours, conditions especially bad for child laborers. Poor labor conditions-low wages, dangerous jobs, long hours, conditions especially bad for child laborers. Poor nutrition. Poor nutrition. Cramped, unsanitary housing. Cramped, unsanitary housing.

11. The “New Immigration” Until the 1880’s, most immigrants had come from northern Europe. Until the 1880’s, most immigrants had come from northern Europe. After 1885, the new immigrants came from southern and eastern Europe. After 1885, the new immigrants came from southern and eastern Europe. Italians were one of the largest groups. Italians were one of the largest groups. Another large group were European Jews. Another large group were European Jews.

12. Dreams of America Unemployment and overpopulation made existence in Europe difficult. Unemployment and overpopulation made existence in Europe difficult. Jews came to escape religious persecution. Jews came to escape religious persecution. Many believed that the streets of America were paved with gold. Many believed that the streets of America were paved with gold.

13. What were the newcomers like? Most immigrants were poor, poorly educated, and had few skills. Most immigrants were poor, poorly educated, and had few skills. Met the rising needs of American industry for an inexpensive labor force. Met the rising needs of American industry for an inexpensive labor force. Extended families helped people feel connected in a strange land. Extended families helped people feel connected in a strange land.

14. Where did new immigrants live? New immigrants flocked to cities New immigrants flocked to cities Lived with people from their homelands Lived with people from their homelands Language was still spoken, and cultural traditions still kept. Language was still spoken, and cultural traditions still kept. Established churches, clubs, newspapers, and social centers to help face the challenges of their new lives in a foreign land. Established churches, clubs, newspapers, and social centers to help face the challenges of their new lives in a foreign land. Neighborhood stores and markets featured familiar foods from home. Neighborhood stores and markets featured familiar foods from home.

15. Were they welcomed? Americans wondered if they would ever become truly American. Americans wondered if they would ever become truly American. Workers blamed immigrants for low wages or shortages of employment. Workers blamed immigrants for low wages or shortages of employment. A resentment of foreigners crept into America’s attitudes. New immigrants were easy scapegoats for the fear of social change that many experienced due to the rapid changes based on the Industrial Revolution. A resentment of foreigners crept into America’s attitudes. New immigrants were easy scapegoats for the fear of social change that many experienced due to the rapid changes based on the Industrial Revolution. For many, the “good ole days” were really gone. For many, the “good ole days” were really gone.

16. Naturalization Law in US History 1.1790 - Congress limits naturalization to whites 2.1870 - Congress adds African Americans (limited to “free white persons” & “persons of African descent”) 1.Chinese Exclusion Act 2.Quota Act of 1921 3.Immigration Act of 1924 4.1952 - racial prerequisite for naturalization eliminated

17. Chinese Exclusion Acts Only Chinese non-laborers and those who were born in the U.S. can enter Those who resided in the U.S. prior to 1880 can remain if they don’t leave the country If they leave they can come back if they have at least one thousand dollars worth of property or debts owned to them The status of wife and child followed that of a husband No Chinese could be naturalized as U.S. citizen

18. Anti-immigration Movements Americans formed groups to counter the immigrant threat. Americans formed groups to counter the immigrant threat. American Protective Association formed in 1887 American Protective Association formed in 1887 protest the large number of immigrant Catholics. protest the large number of immigrant Catholics. Local laws passed prohibiting immigrants from jobs Local laws passed prohibiting immigrants from jobs

19. Immigration Restriction - Literacy Tests

20. Restrictions – Quota Act of 1921 Limits entrants from each nation to 3 percent of that nationality’s presence in the U.S. Population recorded in 1910!

21. Immigration Act of 1924 Based ceilings on the number of immigrants from any particular nation on 2 percent of each nationality recorded in the 1890 census Was directed against immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe who arrived in large numbers after 1890 Barred all immigrants ineligible for citizenship on racial grounds, including all south and east Asians (including Indians, Japanese, and Chinese)

22. 1924 – Annual Immigration Quotas Germany - 51,227 Great Britain - 34,007 Ireland - 28,567 Italy - 3,845 Hungary – 473 Greece – 100 Egypt – 100