Immigration in the 19th Century

Early Immigration Prior to 1871, most immigrants to America came from northern and western Europe (Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden) From 1871 to 1921, most immigrants came from southern and eastern Europe (Italy, Greece, Poland, and Russia) as well as from Asia (China and Japan) These immigrants came to America seeking better lives and futures for their families

Immigrant Workers In the West, Chinese workers helped build the Transcontinental Railroad All sorts of immigrants worked in the textile and steel mills Slavs, Italians, and Poles worked in the coal mines in the East Immigrants often worked for low pay and in dangerous working conditions, but were vital to building the nation’s industrial strength

How Immigrants Entered the U.S. Immigrants from Europe entered the United States through Ellis Island at New York harbor Their first view of America was often the Statue of Liberty, which represented a symbol of hope and a new life “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!”

The Melting Pot Immigrants brought forth a new type of culture known as the “melting pot” – bringing together different cultures and ideas to form a new society Immigrants worked hard to learn English and assimilate into American culture, while also bringing in new ideas