Old vs. New Immigrants Old: Before 1880 Came from Northern and Western Europe Protestant Similar culture Both settled in cities and rural areas Arrived 1880 – 1910 Came from Southern and Eastern Europe Catholics, Jews, and Orthodox Christians Culturally different Settled in cities.

Old Immigrants 1800 – 1880: 10 Million came to U.S. From Germany, Scandinavia, and U.K. Push Factors – religion, politics, jobs, disease Pull Factors – jobs, land, new life. 25,000 Chinese came in 1840 – 1850’s: CA Gold Rush After Gold Rush – Chinese built the transcontinental r.r.

New Immigrants 1880 – 1910: 18 million people Czech, Greek, Italian, Russian – different religions. Chinese also came to U.S. by 1900 – 90,000 lived along west coast. Japanese – 1885: Japan allowed laborers to leave the sugar plantations in the Hawaiian Islands 1904 – 10,000 Japanese lived in the U.S. By 1910 – 1 in 12 Americans had been born in a foreign country.

The journey to America Send one male to work in America – save money to buy the tickets for rest of family – Immigration Law – had to be approved by the steamship authorities before allowed on board. Had to have i.d., $30 cash, never been to prison, poorhouse, or mental institution. Medical examination – disinfected them and their baggage. Travelled in steerage – cheapest way – bottom of ship. Terrible conditions during the journey.

Ellis Island Immigration station in 1892 – for 62 years over 112 million immigrants would pass through the island. Had to pass inspection before coming into U.S. Could be sent back – disease or disabilities At the peak of immigration, some where held for weeks. 5 out of 6 immigrants would pass to come to the U.S.

Limiting Chinese Immigration 1873 – Americans blamed Chinese for taking away needed jobs. Workingmen’s Party – oppose Chinese Immigration – Denis Kearney 1879 – CA adopted a new state Constitution: Prohibited Chinese to work for state jobs. Ban Chinese from their communities or restrict them to certain districts. 1882: Congress passed Chinese Exclusion Act – banned Chinese immigration for 10 years. None of the Chinese in America could become citizens 1902 Congress banned Chinese Immigration indefinitely.

Limiting Japanese Immigration 1906 – San Fran segregated its schools – Gentlemen’s Agreement (Theodore Roosevelt – president) Japan agreed to prevent unskilled workers from immigrating to U.S. San Fran stopped practice of segregating Japanese schoolchildren.