1. IMMIGRATION

2. LEAVING TROUBLES BEHIND  Economic troubles due to overcrowding and poverty Farmers needed more land New machines such as looms put craft workers out of business Escape discrimination or unfair laws

3. SEEKING OPPORTUNITY  Immigrants saw the United States as a land of jobs, plentiful and affordable land, and opportunities for a better life

5. DECADE/CONTINENTS PERCENTAGE OF IMMIGRANTS COMING TO AMERICA 1901-10 South America 0.2 North America 3.9 Europe 91.6 Asia 3.7 Africa 0.1 1911-20 South America 0.7 North America 19.2 Europe 75.3 Asia 4.3 Africa 0.1 1981-90 South America 6.3 North America 43 Europe 10.4 Asia 37.3 Africa 2.4 1991-98 South America 5.8 North America 43.8 Europe 14.9 Asia 30.9 Africa 3.7

6. THE JOURNEY TO AMERICA Immigrants often had a difficult journey to America Traveled to a seaport to board a ship Some traveled hundreds of miles on foot or on horseback and through foreign countries to get to the port cities Traveled 12 days across the Atlantic or several weeks across the Pacific Many traveled in Steerage

7. THE STATUE OF LIBERTY SEEMED TO PROMISE HOPE FOR A BETTER LIFE

8. ENTERING AMERICA  Before entering the "Golden Door" to America, they had to register at government reception centers In the East immigrants were processed at Ellis Island

9.  On the West coast immigrants went through the processing AT Angel Island

10. AT THE IMMIGRATION STATION Examiners at the centers recorded the immigrant’s personal information Immigrants’ names (Sometimes shortening or simplifying a name) Where they came from Occupation Relatives in the United States

11. AT THE IMMIGRATION STATION The examiners also gave health examinations. Immigrants with contagious illnesses could be refused permission to enter the United States.

13. FINDING WORK  Where Would they Go? How Would They Live? *Hard Labor *Sweat Shops *Big Industries Hired Immigrant Workers

14. ADJUSTING TO AMERICA Immigrants tried to preserve their own cultures Many immigrants wanted to assimilate The English language caused conflict at home between family members New life styles conflicted with traditional ways and sometimes caused family friction Building Communities People of the same ethnic group naturally tended to form communities

17. IMMIGRANTS RECREATED SOME OF THE LIFE THEY LEFT BEHIND Churches and Synagogues Priest and Rabbis were community leaders Immigrants published newspapers in their native language Opened stores and theatres Organized social clubs Ethnic communities helped preserve their cultural heritage

18. NATIVIST MOVEMENT  Tensions grew between Americans and Immigrants  Americans feared that they were taking all the jobs and driving down their wages  Nativist Movement opposed immigration since the 1830s

20. NATIVIST CALLED FOR RESTRICTIONS  The Chinese Exclusion Act prohibited Chinese workers from entering the U.S. for 10 years Immigration Act 0f 1877 required immigrants to be able to read and write