If you were applying for citizenship… U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – Would you be a citizen?

A New Wave of Immigrants

New Immigrants “There will soon be larger towns than any the world has yet known.” – Frederick Law Olmsted - speaking to a Boston crown about the rapid growth of U.S. cities.

Old and New Immigrants Old Immigrants (Before 1880) – Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, and Scandanavia – Protestant (except for Irish and some Germans) New Immigrants (1880’s) – As many immigrants entered the U.S. in the 1880’s as had arrived in the years from 1820 to – Southern and Eastern Europe – Various religions

Coming to America Why come to America? – Economic opportunity, religious and political asylum, adventure of a new life How did people get here? – Cheap boat tickets in steerage

What were the conditions like in steerage?

Ellis Island On the East Coast, millions of immigrants came through! – Written tests, interviews, physical examinations Take a tour of Ellis Island!!! On the West Coast, millions of Asian Immigrants entered through Angel Island!

Immigrant Life Most immigrants settled in large cities What was in large cities for these immigrants? – Work / economic opportunities – Other immigrants from same country

Where did Immigrants Live? Tenements – poorly built, over-crowded apartments. “I dreamed of the golden stairs leading to the top of the American palace where father was supposed to live. [I] went ‘home’ to… an ugly old tenement in the heart of the lower East Side. There were stairs to climb but they were not golden.” – New York Tenements 

How did Immigrants adjust? Formed benevolent societies – Aid organizations that offered help in cases of sickness, unemployment, or death Adjusted to American culture – Language, customs, etc. Does this happen today???

Immigrant workers Many had previously been farmers – Why would it be difficult to be come a farmer when immigrating to a new country, specifically the East Coast of the United States? Found factory jobs in American cities – What types of jobs would an unskilled, non English speaking person get?

Opposition to Immigration? Why do people oppose immigration today?

Opposition to Immigration Anti-immigrant feelings grew along with the rise in immigration in the late 1800’s. – Racial and religious prejudices Felt that these new immigrants would not be able to assimilate to American culture well and become good citizens. – Taking jobs away from union members in the United States

Opposition to Immigration Chinese Exclusion Act – 1882 – Banned Chinese people form immigrating to the United States for 10 years Immigration Restriction League – 1894 – Demanded all immigrants prove they could read and write before entering the country

Homework… What does it mean to be American? What defines us today as American?