Warm-up Millions of immigrants entered the U.S. during the 1800s. Make a list of Pros & Cons (at least 3 each) for this large increase in population. Word of the Day Nativism: policy of protecting the interest of native-born citizens over immigrants
The Gilded Age: Immigration Factors
Ellis Island, New York City At its’ peak in 1907, 1.25 million immigrants were processed. 11,747 were processed in a single day The dining room was capable of seating 1,000 people at once Immigrants had to answer 29 questions to gain citizenship Approximately 2% failed due to criminal records, disease, or “unfavorable answers”
Why do you believe these people would leave their homelands to immigrate to America?
Push and Pull Factors “Push” Factors “Pull” Factors JOBS, JOBS, JOBS Oppression Poverty War Religious and Ethnic Persecution Freedom Cultural Ties Economic Opportunity JOBS, JOBS, JOBS
Patterns of Immigration WHERE DID THEY COME FROM? Southern and Eastern Europe Poland, Italy, Austria-Hungary, Greece, Russia Catholic, Jewish, or Orthodox Christian Spoke little to no English
The Immigrant Experience How they Traveled Initial Hardships Americanization Process Immigrants traveled in steerage (crowded open room below ship’s desk) Journey took about one week Would enter processing stations such as Ellis Island Either stayed in New York City or traveled to join other relations. Unfamiliar with US customs Resided in overcrowded tenement buildings Ethnic Ghettos-settled with relatives and other of the same nationality Lived in urban areas with low-paying jobs Adults attended night school Children became “Americanized” and taught to speak, dress, and act like Americans. America was seen as a “Melting Pot” in which immigrants were “melted down and reshaped”
Americanization Process where immigrants were assimilated into American culture Expected to Learn English Adapt to American Culture
Response to Immigration Rise of Nativism Nativists(people born in US who wanted to restrict immigration) Believed other races were inferior, especially “New Immigrants” and felt they were taking jobs away from US people. Nativism led DIRECTLY to Chinese Exclusion Act Early Restrictions on Immigration Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) – first federal law to restrict immigration to the US. Gentlemen’s Agreement- Japan would restrict the number of immigrants entering the US and the US would not discriminate against Japanese already in the US
1882: Exclusion Act passed
All in exchange for VOTES. Political Machine No government assistance Local politicians provided social services Food Jobs Housing Orphanages Hospitals Fire/Police Tammany Hall, New York City “Boss Tweed” Tammany Hall Bio-VIDEO
A. What do you see? Conclusion? “They would close to the new-comer the bridge that carried them and their fathers over.” A. What do you see? Conclusion?
B. What do you see? Conclusion?
C. What do you see? Conclusion?