The New Immigrants

Immigration During the Gilded Age : –45 MILLION IMMIGRANTS CAME TO THE US!!! –14 million newcomers to the US (Before 1890 they were more “OLD” after 1890 they were “NEW” Called entrance to America the Golden Door

I vs. E Emigrant is someone leaving their home country Immigrant is someone entering a new country E = exit I = In

The Journey Most took a steamship across the oceans –1 week from Europe –3 weeks from Japan Slept in very poor conditions on the boat –Disease spread fast

Arrival into the US Ellis Island (NYC) was the entry point for European Immigrants Had to pass the following tests –Physical Exam –Literacy/Obedience Tests Had to read 40 words in English or was refused entry –Government Inspector Questions Were they a felon? Able to work? Had money? ($25)

Arrival in the US Asians typically entered on the West Coast at Angel Island (San Fran Bay) –Called America The Golden Mountain Worse admitting procedures than Ellis Island –Harsher Questions –Longer wait and filthy detention centers

Restricting Immigrants Many Americans thought their country was a Melting Pot –Mixture of all types of people Nativists rise again –Targeted the new immigrants –WHY? Xenophobia –Extreme fear or hatred of foreigners

Anti-Asian Sentiment Fear of native born Americans that Chinese will take their jobs –Very high in California Congress passes Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) –Banned Chinese entry except students, teachers, tourists and government officials –Not repealed until 1943

Anti-Asian Sentiment San-Francisco schools put Japanese students in separate schools Japan protested President Theodore Roosevelt passed in 1908 The Gentleman’s Agreement –Japan to limit unskilled workers entering US and San Fran will stop segregating