US IMMIGRATION 1890-1910

To enter and settle in a country or region to which one is not native. What is immigration? To enter and settle in a country or region to which one is not native. To send or introduce as immigrants: Britain immigrated many colonists to the New World.

1892 Ellis Island

Peak Immigration Immigration reached its historical peak in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era when almost 12 million immigrants entered the U.S. between 1890 and 1910.

Motivations for Immigration: Push factors (need to leave in order to survive) Pull factors (attracted to new way of life)

Reasons for Immigration 1607-1830 Political Freedom (pull and push) Religious intolerance in home country (push) Economic Opportunity - People want a better life - better jobs - more money in US (pull) Political Refugees fear for their lives (push) Some want free social atmosphere (pull) Forced Emigration (Slavery) Family Reunification

Reasons for Immigration 1830-1890 The main reason for immigration in the period from 1830-1890 is Land. It remained plentiful, and fairly cheap. Jobs were abundant, and labor was scarce and relatively expensive. A decline in the birthrate as well as an increase in industry and urbanization reinforced this situation.

Reasons for Immigration 1890-1924 Jews came for religious freedom Italians and Asians came for Work Russians came to escape persecution America had jobs America had religious freedom America was described in many countries as the "Land of Opportunity."

Disillusion “I came to America because I heard the streets were paved with gold. When I got here, I found out three things: First, the streets weren’t paved with gold; second, they weren’t paved at all: and third, I was expected to pave them.”

WHERE DID THEY COME FROM? Greece Hungary Italy Poland Russia China Japan Ireland Germany

“All of us (immigrants) clustered on the foredeck and looked with wonder on this miraculous land of our dreams.”

How did they enter? Immigrants entering through the east coast would enter through Ellis Island, in New York Harbor. Immigrants entering on the West Coast gained admission at Angel Island, in San Francisco Bay. Immigrants endured harsh questioning and physical examinations. At Angel Island, immigrants were often subjected to long detention periods while awaiting entrance into the United States.

People who could not meet guidelines, had contagious diseases or mental disorders, had criminal records or no means to support themselves were deported.

Immigration Restriction Many native-born Americans thought of the United States as a melting pot, a mixture of people of different cultures and races who blended together by abandoning their native languages and customs. Many immigrants did not want to give up their native customs, causing anti-immigrant feelings. Anti-Immigrant groups began springing up, which led to nativism, or favoritism toward native-born Americans.

Why did Native-born Americans view immigrants as a threat? Unable to fit into society Caused social problems; crime, poverty, violence. Cheap labor robbed Americans of jobs

Chinese Exclusion In California, Chinese immigrants were unable to own property or work at certain jobs.

1882 – CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT Denied citizenship and prohibited immigration of Chinese workers

IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION LEAGUE Wanted a literacy test for all immigrants. Passed by Congress, but vetoed by President Cleveland. He called it “Illiberal, narrow, and un-American”