Immigration ** Not needed to be copied. This is extra information

**Between 1880 and 1920, 23 million people immigrated to the United States. In 1880 the population of the United States was about 50 million. That means for every new immigrant for every two people already living in the United States.

Immigrants came to the United States for different reasons Immigrants came to the United States for different reasons. Many were escaping poverty, hunger, or lack of jobs. Others escaped violence, war, or injustice.

Before 1890 most immigrants came from Northern Europe Before 1890 most immigrants came from Northern Europe. (England, Germany, Ireland, and Sweden) After 1890 most came from Southern and Eastern European countries. (Italy, Austria-Hungry, and Russia). Jews and Russians came to the United States due to religious persecution.

Most immigrants could only afford steerage class boat tickets **Most immigrants could only afford steerage class boat tickets. Steerage passengers were crammed into a large room below the deck of the boat. The boat ride usually lasted 15 to 16 days. As ships reached New York Harbor people rushed to the deck to see the Statute of Liberty.

Most immigrants were taken by ferry to Ellis Island Most immigrants were taken by ferry to Ellis Island. This island is located in New York Harbor. Immigrants had to pass through Ellis Island to gain permission to enter the country.

At Ellis Island, doctors checked immigrants for dangerous diseases, asked questions about where they are from, what kind of work they did, and where they plan to live.

Immigrants spent most of the day waiting in long lines Immigrants spent most of the day waiting in long lines. When the examinations were over, immigrants who passed were sent to New York City to start their new lives in the United States. Immigrants who did not pass were sent back to their original country.

Immigrants from China first stop was at Angel Island in San Francisco Bay.

**Chinese immigrants had to prove they already had family members living in the United States before given permission to enter. They had to answer questions, then their family member were asked the same questions to see if they match up.

**Many immigrants had to wait on Angle Island weeks to month before they were given permission to enter the country.

**Once arriving in the United States people had to find a place to live and a job. If they had family in the US they would go to them for help. If not they would find a neighborhood where other people from their homeland lived. Living in a community where language and traditions were familiar made it easier to adjust to life in a new country.

After finding a place to live people had to find jobs ** After finding a place to live people had to find jobs. Many worked in factories, railroads, or mines. Others started their own businesses. If they did not have enough money to open a store the used pushcarts to sell goods. Streets in immigrants neighborhoods were often lined with pushcarts and crowed with shoppers shouting in different languages.

Many immigrants faced the hardship of prejudice **Many immigrants faced the hardship of prejudice. This would not allow them to obtain certain jobs in different parts of the city.

Many immigrants wanted to improve their position in life **Many immigrants wanted to improve their position in life. Most immigrants had to work 12 hour a day, then go to school at night. This was not easy after working so many hours, but immigrants realized that the key to a better life was a good education. Even though life remained hard for many immigrants, a large number found great success in the new country.

**By the early 1900s more the half the population of big city were immigrants or children of immigrants. There were more people living in New York with an Irish background then Dublin, Ireland, Ireland’s largest city.