Immigration American Journey Ch. 20

A New Form of Immigration Pre-Civil War: W.A.S.P Post-Civil War: 1.3 Million from all over. Mostly East & South Europe (80%) Ex: Greece, Russia, Hungary, Italy, Turkey & Poland. Mexico, China, & Japan also had many immigrants during this time.

How Were They Different? Catholic or Jewish Faith Could not speak English Felt like outsiders Urban neighborhoods were divided by nationality.

Why They Came Over? Push-Pull Relationship Overcrowding and Poverty Pushed away by homelands Economic Troubles Pulled to U.S. by new opportunities Overcrowding and Poverty Not enough land Crop failures – Famine New technologies = Loss of jobs Persecution Wanted to escape unfair discriminatory laws. Ex: Jews in Russia The U.S. = Land of Opportunity Plentiful & affordable land Chance for a better life

The Journey to America First they had to travel to the sea. On foot or horseback Through foreign countries Then they had to travel across the Ocean. 12 day trip across Atlantic 60 day trip across Pacific Steerage – cramped, noisy quarters on the lower deck.

The Statue of Liberty Built in 1886 in New York. A gift from France Emma Lazarus – “ 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 tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Ellis Island & Angel Island Ellis Island – New York, NY European immigrants Angel Island – San Francisco, CA Asian Immigrants

Entrance – The Godfather Part II Examiners Record names Often shortened or simplified Took records of: Where they came from? Occupation? Relatives in the U.S.? Gave Health Exams If contagious, could mean refusal into the country. “Treated like sheep”

Think-Pair-Share What types of questions do you think the immigrants asked themselves after they got through examinations & were “officially” free to roam the U.S.?

Finding Work At first it was very difficult. Organizations from the homelands often supplied American companies with unskilled laborers. Ex: Unloading cargo, digging ditches. Industries Prospered Steel Mills – Pittsburgh, PA 12hrs/day, 7 days/week

Immigrant Steel Workers

Women & Children at Work Sweatshops Garment Factories Repetitious Hazardous Low Pay Long Hours Child labor was very common

Adjusting to America There was a Thin-Line Assimilation vs. Preservation Children typically wanted to assimilate ASAP. Language Differences Parents spoke original languages everywhere. Children spoke original languages at home, but English in public. 3rd generation = English only. Role of Women Traditional- at home, under guidance of men. New – General freedom, work outside of home, socialize.

Building Communities Often settled in Industrialized Cities Little to No Education = Unskilled Labor Ethnic Neighborhoods Chinatown, Little Italy, etc. Brought Churches & Synagogues Native Language Newspapers Stores, Theaters, Social Clubs All of these things helped preserve Cultural Heritage.

Conflict With the Native-Born Americans Nativism – Anti-Immigration Created organizations against immigration. Fought for laws against immigrants having certain jobs and rights. Denied entry to some colleges Physical violence Workers often resented immigrants Ethnic, Religious, & Racial Differences Foreign languages, unfamiliar religions, distinctive customs = UNAMERICAN Blamed immigrants for crimes, unemployment & anything else they could think of.

New Immigration Laws Laws to limit Immigration Chinese Exclusion Act Prohibit Chinese from entering U.S. for 10 years. “Gentlemen’s Agreement” with Japan Limited number of immigrants from Japan, if Americans treated them fairly. 1882 – Tax to enter country Immigration Act of 1917 Literacy requirements

Immigrants’ Contributions Supplied the country’s need for industrial workers. Led to economic growth Helped shape American culture – Melting Pot Brought new religions Catholic, Protestant, Jewish Enriched society with own customs & cultures, language & literature. Cities developed greatly from ethnic neighborhoods and population increases.