Patterns in U.S. Immigration US History: Spiconardi
Colonial Immigration The Immigrants Reasons Predominately English Also Scotch-Irish, some German, Swedish, and Dutch Africans via the slave trade Reasons Political & Religious Freedom Improvement of economic standing
Colonial Immigration Difficulties Faced Contributions Conflict over land with Indians Building of homes/farms in an unfamiliar territory Contributions Government = Representative Democracy Religion = Christianity (Protestantism) Cultural traditions
Old Immigration 1780s - 1850 The Immigrants Reasons Northern and Western European Irish, German, and Scandinavian Reasons Irish = Potato famine German = Political revolution in Germany
“Old” Immigration 1780s-1850 Difficulties Faced Irish and German Catholics faced discrimination US predominately Protestant Feared Catholics more loyal to pope than USA Americans feared economic competition posed by immigrants (cheap labor)
“Old” Immigration 1780s-1850 Contributions Irish = Helped build railroads, canals, and worked in factories Germans & Scandinavians = Brought newer farming techniques and kindergarten
“New” Immigration: 1850-1924 The Immigrants Italy, Poland, Russia (Jews) China & Japan
“New” Immigration: 1850-1924 Reasons Farm poverty & job insecurity Available work and land opportunity in America Wars & mandatory military service Political uncertainty & tyranny Democratic political system in United States Religious Oppression Pogroms against Jews Higher standard of living Opportunity for social mobility
“New” Immigration: 1850-1924 Difficulties Faced Assimilation Process Loss of native cultural values & traditions Faced backlash from Nativists Often violence Job and housing discrimination Life in the Ghetto Tenement housing & unsanitary conditions in the Northeast urban centers.
“New” Immigration: 1850-1924 Contributions Italians = masonry Jews = Young ladies in the garment industry Poles & Slavs = Coal mines in Pennsylvania Chinese = Labor on transcontinental railroad in the West