Chapter 21.1 New Immigrants

Why Immigrants Came. Between 1865 & 1915 more than 25 million immigrants came to the US. Both pull and push factors contributed to factors that increased immigration to the United States.

Push Factors European Immigrants were often small farmers or landless workers. Political or religious persecution drove many to leave countries and come to the US. Many left countries like Russia, Mexico, the Ottoman Empire and the European continent.

Pull Factors Industrial jobs were the main pull factor for immigrants. American factories were booming and they needed LABOR. Usually one family member would come over to get a job and then bring his family over latter with the money he made.

A Difficult Journey Leaving home required a lot of courage, a journey across the Atlantic ocean. Many people were jammed below deck in ‘steerage’ (very small rooms). That same space was used on return trips for cattle or cargo. Usually in these situations disease spread rapidly and death was not uncommon.

On the East Coast Statue of Liberty – Dedicated in Became a symbol of hope and freedom to the new world. Ellis Island – opened in – Subjected to a medical exam before being allowed to enter. – Many new immigrants however were processed and entered the country. (below is a web tour).

Old and New Immigrants The 1800’s led to a change in immigration patterns. Most early immigrants were from Northern and Western Europe and already spoke English. New Immigrants came from southern and eastern European nations such as Poland, Russia, Hungary as well as Asian immigrants on the West coast. explorer.html?hp&_r=0

Adapting to American Life Immigrant Neighborhoods – Immigrants generally settled into their own neighborhoods to start. – Religion was the center of immigrant life as well. It contributed to their traditions. *Learning to Be American. Immigrants were often torn between old traditions and the new American way of doing things.

Tonight for Homework.