Immigration Coming to the New World

3 Phases Colonial Old New

Colonial 1609 – 1776 Who Came? English, Scotch-Irish, Germans Swedish Dutch Africans Why? Religious Reasons Indentured Servitude Slaves

European Population Explosion 1815 - 1914 Relative Peace Improved Diet Improved Sanitation Mechanization reduced need for human labor Renters pushed off land

“Old” Immigration 1776-1880 Who Came? Northern &Western Europe (18th c - English, Scotch, Dutch & French Protestants) (19th c – English Germans, Scandinavians, Irish) Why? Revolts (Germany) Potato Famine Desire For better Standard of Living Many were skilled and either could assimilate easily or settled in rural immigrant communities. “Old” Immigration

New Immigration Between 1877 – 1890 6 million 1890 – 1920 30 Million more

Who Came? Eastern and southern Europe Asia (China, Japan, Filipinos) (Russia, Austria-Hungary, Italy) Asia (China, Japan, Filipinos) Many unskilled agricultural workers Many Catholic or Jewish (European) Not Familiar with American Democratic Traditions.

Why did they come? PUSH PULL Italians fleeing famine and Disease Jews from Eastern Europe and Russia escaping Religious Persecution Escaping Poverty PULL Better jobs (IR tremendous demands for cheap labor) Encouraged by friends/family Fresh Start Advertisements

Sojourners Some didn’t stay For every 100 immigrants 30 returned home Earned enough $ Obstacles too much and left For every 100 immigrants 30 returned home Some came intending to return, but stayed.

1-3 weeks in steerage with diseases and not much food NEW LIFE -difficult journey 1-3 weeks in steerage with diseases and not much food -Ellis Island, NY immigrant processing Physical exam, government inspection (criminal record) -Angel Island, SF Harsher examinations, detentions Once in America, new immigrants had to endure physical examinations (to check for disease and lice), as well as governmental examinations, which checked your criminal record in your previous country. While many were admitted, some were sent back home.

Waiting in line at Ellis Island in New York Waiting in line at Ellis Island in New York. This was the major immigrant in-processing station in the nation, as 17 million immigrants passed through its gates to gain entrance to the United States.

NEW LIFE -Culture Shock Need a home and job in a brand new culture Settled in ethnic communities Similar language/customs

Settling in America Culture Shock – Need a new home in a new area Vast Majority settled in Urban Areas Available land scarce (Japanese and Filipinos in California – an agricultural exception) Industrial work provided economic foundation for communities Already substantial immigrant communities Could settle in ethnic communities Ethnic specific goods, language, religion etc. Because of low wages – ethnic areas tended to be densely populated and poverty stricken. Provided a place where they could feel at home. Often provided aid and services/ support for newcomers.

Reaction to Immigration Nativism Reaction to Immigration

Theories of Americanization Homogenous Culture Theory Melting Pot Theory Cultural Pluralism “Mosaic” or “Salad Bowl” Homogenous Culture Theory Immigrants will be changed and assimilate to American Culture. Melting Pot Theory Immigrants will blend with the society forming a homogenous, yet ever changing society. Cultural Pluralism “Mosaic” or “Salad Bowl” Emphasizes the diversity of the country while recognizing a common center (political and economic institutions, including language)

Nativism The “different” nature of the new immigrants frightened many middle and upper class Americans. Xenophobia – the fear of outsiders Examples of Nativist Groups ( KKK , American Protective Association) Tended to be Anti Catholic and Anti Jewish (Anti-Semitic) Felt Immigrants were: The wrong religion and a threat to Protestant traditions Would not be readily assimilated – culture too different. Of “lesser” races who would drag the country down Brining in un-American ideas (Socialism) Taking jobs from Americans

Successful Nativist Efforts Many local and state governments passed laws discriminating against the Chinese Segregated Schooling, boycotts of Chinese businesses Violence flared 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act Prohibited Chinese immigration for 10 years, except students, teachers, merchants, tourists & government officials. Extended in 1892 for another 10 years. In 1902 Chinese immigration prohibited indefinitely. Repealed in 1943. Violence did subside as immigration dropped. Many local and state governments passed laws discriminating against the Chinese Segregated Schooling, boycotts of Chinese businesses Violence flared 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act Prohibited Chinese immigration for 10 years, except students, teachers, merchants, tourists & government officials. Extended in 1892 for another 10 years. In 1902 Chinese immigration prohibited indefinitely. Repealed in 1943. Violence did subside as immigration dropped

Successful Nativist Efforts 1907 Gentleman’s Agreement Japan agreed to limit emigration in return for ending school segregation in the US. 1907 the Immigration Restriction League pressed Congress to require a literacy test for immigrants wishing to enter the U.S. Vetoed repeatedly by Taft & Wilson but overridden by congress in 1917. Had to read no less than 30 words of English. 1907 Gentleman’s Agreement Japan agreed to limit emigration in return for ending school segregation in the US. 1907 the Immigration Restriction League pressed Congress to require a literacy test for immigrants wishing to enter the U.S. Vetoed repeatedly by Taft & Wilson but overridden by congress in 1917. Had to read no less than 30 words of English.

Later Legislation 1921 Emergency Quota Act number of immigrants limited to about 350,000 1924 National Origins Quota Act Further limited immigration and biased it toward Northern & Western Europeans. 1929 National Origins Act Limited immigration to 150,000 a year. 1921 Emergency Quota Act Sharply limited the number of immigrants to about 350,000 1924 National Origins Quota Act Further limited immigration and biased it toward Northern & Western Europeans. 1929 National Origins Act Further limited immigration to 150,000 a year.