Immigrants and Urbanization
Do Now: Do you have family members who were immigrants? Why do immigrants come to the United States? What are your opinions on immigration?
Why do Immigrants Come to the United States? During the 19th and 20th centuries, immigrants came to the U.S. in search of a better life Escape difficult conditions back home such as famine, land shortages, religious and/or political persecution “New Immigrants”
Europeans 20 million Europeans arrived to the U.S. between 1870-1920. Left to escape from religious persecution and rising population Farmers were competing with laborers for industrial jobs
Chinese Chinese came to the U.S. through Angel Island (smallest numbers) in search of gold. When they arrived, they helped build the 1st transcontinental RR. Turned to farming before Chinese immigration became limited
Japanese (1884) First came to aid Hawaiian planters (1898) Hawaii’s annexation sparked an increase due to rumors of high American wages
West Indies and Mexico Came from Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other islands in search of jobs Mexicans came to find work and to escape from political turmoil. 1902 National Reclamation Act encouraged the irrigation of arid (dry) land created new farmland in Western states, drawing in workers
Ellis Island Immigrants had to pass inspection at immigration stations: physical examination meet with a government inspector Approx. 20% were detained for a day at Ellis Island before being inspected; only 2% of them were denied entry. From 1892-1924, 17 million people passed through
(1892-1954)
Cooperation for Survival Once admitted, immigrants had to find a place to live, get a job, adapt to new lifestyle, language, and culture. Built ethnic communities based on culture and religion, forming social clubs and societies What kind of problems could this cause with native Americans (not Indians)?
The Rise of Nativism Nativism: favoritism towards native-born Americans Led to anti-immigrant groups and demand for immigrant restrictions Immigrant Restriction League (1897): required a literacy test for immigrants Vetoed by President Grover Cleveland
Anti-Asian Sentiment Natives felt that jobs would go to Chinese immigrants for lower wages Denis Kearney, founder of the Workingmen’s Party, headed the anti-Chinese movement in CA. “The Chinese must go!”
Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) Congress passed Chinese Exclusion Act, banning entry to all Chinese except students, teachers, and government officials for 10 years. Congress extended the law in 1892 for another 10 years. (1902) Chinese immigration restricted indefinitely, until it was repealed in 1943.
The Gentlemen’s Agreement (1906) Japanese students put in separate schools in San Francisco. Japanese protests led to President TR’s passing of the Gentlemen’s Agreement (1907-1908): Japanese government agreed to limit emigration of unskilled workers to the U.S. in exchange for the repeal of segregation.
During what years did Japanese immigration to the U. S During what years did Japanese immigration to the U.S. reach its highest point? Why did the numbers continue to decline from 1910-1949?
Urbanization What is urbanization? What are the causes and effects of urbanization? Are the effects positive or negative?
Immigrants Settle in Cities Cities were the cheapest and most convenient places to live. Offered unskilled laborers steady jobs The Americanization Movement: government-sponsored campaign to integrate people from different cultures into one culture Taught immigrants necessary skills for citizenship
Urban Problems Housing Transportation Water Sanitation Crime Fire Tenements Transportation Mass transit Water Sanitation Crime Fire
The Settlement House Movement Social Gospel Movement: preached salvation through service to the poor. Settlement houses: community centers in slum neighborhoods that provided assistance to people in the area (not just immigrants) Provided educational, cultural, and social services Sent visiting nurses Tour of Ellis Island NY's Immigrants