The immigrant experience In America

Immigrants Arrive in America 2 ports of entry into the U.S. Ellis Island- New York City Angel Island- San Francisco Bay To enter the ports immigrants had to be healthy and show they had money, a skill, or a sponsor to provide for them. They had to go through a series of health tests and evaluations and could possibly be sent back to their homeland if they did not meet proper guidelines..

Mrs. Breen has been to Ellis Island, have you?

Ellis Island was built in 1892 as the 1st “Immigration Center” Later, closed in the 1940s Today it is a museum. The goal was to “screen” immigrants coming from Europe. Immigrants took physical examinations and were held at Ellis Island before they were released to the US mainland.

Ellis Island Most European immigrants came through here. (NYC) 1st and 2nd class passengers were inspected on the ship then released. 3rd class had to go in to be inspected. A series of medical and legal inspections would take place before you were allowed to take a ferry in to the city. Ellis Island was the more welcoming of the two ports.

Angel Island Most Chinese and Asian immigrants came through here (San Francisco Bay) Opened in 1910. Made it very hard for Chinese immigrants to come into the U.S. Most had to prove they were American citizens to be let in. Immigrants were sometimes left here for days or weeks in poor conditions.

Does this seem like a welcoming place? How do you think the experience at Angel Island was different than Ellis Island?

Immigrants Assimilate Into Society Assimilate = to fit in. Most immigrants stayed in cities and lived in ethnic neighborhoods called ghettos. These neighborhoods would share the same language, religion, and culture. By 1890 many cities had a huge immigrant population. 4/5 people in NYC were immigrants.

Nom nom nom!

Assimilation Americanization = helping newcomers learn American ways. (Language, customs, dress, and diet) In many cities Americanization institutions arose to help immigrants fit in. America became known as the “Melting Pot”. Immigrants usually stuck with their native cultures but children of immigrants were more likely to adopt American ways.

Immigrants Face Hostility Nativism = belief that native born white Americans were superior to immigrants. Competition for jobs and homes often fueled resentment and religious and cultural differences caused tensions as well. Chinese Exclusion Act = 1882 Prohibited immigration by Chinese laborers, limited civil rights of immigrants in America, and forbade naturalization of Chinese residents. A later ruling said the Chinese who were already in America were considered U.S. citizens.

Chinese Exclusion Act Resentment and discrimination against the Chinese. First law to restrict immigration. Taking away jobs from Nativists

Congress also passed another act that prohibited the entry of anyone who was a criminal, immoral, or someone who handicapped. These were the beginnings of immigration restriction in America. A quota act is later going to be placed on how many immigrants can come to the U.S. from a given country.

Immigrants Change America Immigrants changed America in many ways. Fueled industrial growth Acquired citizenship Elected politicians Made their traditions a part of American culture. Mexican Americans developed ranching techniques. Chinese, Irish, and Mexican workers built railroads. Immigrants worked in coal mines, steel and textile mills, and factories. Women immigrants worked in factories, seamstresses, laundresses, made piecework, and worked as servants. Immigrants helped the U.S. become a world power.