People on the Move In 1860, the population of the USA was around 31.5 million people. Between 1865 and 1920, an additional 30 million came from overseas…

Look for the answers to these questions in the short introductory video on immigration… 1.What were some push factors for immigration that the clip mentions? Pull factors? 2.Where did immigrants come from at different points during immigration? 3.What challenges did they face when they came to the United States? Immigration Intro-Video Clip

Why immigrate? Some common push and pull factors… –Political Reasons Pograms –Violent massacres of Jews in Russia, Ukraine. –Czar limited where Jews could live, how they could earn a living. High taxes. –Especially in Italy –Social Reasons “Self-make” ideal. Family members had already immigrated. –Economic Reasons Poor land –Italy, Ireland High unemployment and limited opportunity. –Italy, Greece, Poland

Who Immigrated? In Thousands of Immigrants

The Immigrant Experience Trip usually started with “Immigration Agency.” –Companies that sold packages including rail fair, hotel stay in port city, and passage. Trip length: (Atlantic) –Until 1900 = 2 or 3 weeks –After 1900 = 1 week with steam powered ship

“Steerage” Hundreds of immigrants crammed into one small area with little more space than a twin bunk- bed! Steerage Large open area below deck. Usually a converted cargo area.

Immigration Out of Asia Why are we talking about Europe and not Asia? Chinese Exclusion Act –Passed in 1882 in response to discrimination against the Chinese. – No Chinese were allowed to immigrate between 1882 and “Gentlemen’s Agreement” –Teddy Roosevelt in 1907 asks Japan to stop issuing Japanese workers passports to the USA.

Immigrants at Port Famous Ports –Ellis Island (NY) –Angel Island (SF) Conditions at port… –Health Exams –Quarantines –Name changing Places of Settlement –Ghettos Areas in which one ethnic or racial group dominated (typically in very poor conditions) Chicago’s “Polonia” Restrictive Covenants