CHAPTER 21: Immigration & the Growth of Cities They're coming to America

The new immigrants “America! The country where everyone could find work! Where wages were so high no one had to go hungry! Where all men were free and equal and where even the poor could own land! But now we were so near it seemed too much to believe.” Was this reality? How would an American of the time respond?

Reasons for immigration Push Factors- conditions that drive people away from their homes. Population in Europe , land and was $$ New farm machines replaced workers = jobs. Political and religious persecution Pogroms- organized attacks on Jewish villages in Russia, supported by the government Persecution of Ethnic minorities – Armenian Genocide 5. Poverty and hardship- Mexican revolution, Chinese

Reasons for immigration Pull Factors- conditions that attracted immigrants to a new area. Promise of freedom and hope for a better life. Usually one male family member came first, and others followed. American factories needed workers- they advertised in European papers and sent hiring agents Steamship companies competed to offer low fares to America so prices were low

The long voyage on average 7-10 days Most could only afford the cheapest berths and accommodations. Steerage- airless rooms in 3rd class Often up to 2,000 people could be crammed in In close quarters, disease spread rapidly and there was poor hygiene. Dead were simply thrown overboard.

The long voyage immigrants into the NY harbor. The 1886- Statue of Liberty- welcomed immigrants into the NY harbor. The statue became a symbol of hope and freedom to welcome those into our country. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Immigration to America ELLIS ISLAND: Welcomed immigrants to America on the East Coast after 1892. Immigrants had to go through a medical and mental inspection before admittance. Doctors examined eyes, ears, throats, walking. Those who didn’t pass had to stay on the island until healthy, or sent back. To save times they often changed the spelling of names they found difficult

Angel Island Welcomed immigrants to America on the West Coast in San Francisco Bay. Mainly Asian immigrants: Chinese and Japanese. Americans wanted to discourage Asian immigrants, so they often faced long delays and poor treatment.

Changing patterns of immigration Before 1885, most new immigrants to the US were from Northern and Western Europe. – Spoke English, Christian or Catholic In the late 1800s, the patterns changed as large numbers of people came from Southern and Eastern Europe. On the West Coast, a smaller but growing number of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Pilipino and Indian came. Few spoke English, and many different religions were represented, which set them apart and they found it harder to adapt to American life.

Adjusting to a new land Ethnic Group- group of people who share a common culture. Many times immigrants would live in neighborhoods with others of their same culture, creating “mini” neighborhoods- “Little Italy”. native language and traditions religion was the center of immigrant life

Melting Pot or Salad Bowl? Adjusting to a new land Assimilation- process of becoming part of another culture. It was often hard for immigrants to assimilate into American culture and way of life. Children often had an easier time than adults. Melting Pot or Salad Bowl?

A new surge of nativism Nativists- people who wanted to limit immigration and preserve the country for native-born white Protestants.

A new surge of nativism Chinese Exclusion Act- 1882- passed by Congress, did not allow any Chinese laborer to enter the US. & any Chinese who left the US could not re-enter. Repealed in 1943 -Planned to make as much $$ as possible and then return -Many had a hard time adjusting to US customs American Protective Association- group that campaigned for laws to restrict immigration. -Congress responded by passing a law that denied entry to anyone who couldn’t pass a literacy test. 4 presidents vetoed it, but in 1917 Wilson’s veto was overridden by Congress