1. Immigration and Ellis Island
America,
the Beautiful Salad Bowl
By Mrs. Thomas
Why do you think we are no longer called America, the melting pot?

2. Click on the picture to read more about the history of Ellis Island.
From 1892 to 1954, over twelve million immigrants entered the United States through the portal of Ellis Island, a small island in New York Harbor. Ellis Island is located in the upper bay just off the New Jersey coast, within the shadow of the Statue of Liberty.
Click on the picture to read more about the history of Ellis Island.
Tour Ellis Island

3. Reasons for Immigration to U.S.
Escape persecution
Search for greater economic opportunity
Letters from relatives already in America enticed others to make the journey.
People were persecuted for their choice in religions. Some were made to follow the main religion of the country or face death. These people wanted to settle in a country that would let them practice their religion freely. Some wanted a better way of life because they were living in such poverty. Some sold all their possessions, only left with few pieces of clothing, just to pay for the trip to America. Finally, relatives living in America would write letters to their European kinsmen describing their wondrous way of living in America-the land of opportunity.
Click on the picture to read more about immigration

4. Travel Conditions
Traveled on ships from European Coast to America’s Atlantic Coast
Usually, immigrants stayed in the steerage of the boat.
The journey, prior to steamship travel, took about 2 weeks.
People were extremely crowded into the steerage. This was the lowest part of the deck Many did not make the journey. They succumbed to the disease and starvation that blanketed these overpopulated steam ships. As more steam ship were built more ships were chugging across the Atlantic bringing all these new hopes and dreams. Emma Lazarus wrote that America cried out “Give me your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

5. Registration at Ellis Island
Doctors examined immigrants for:
Head lice
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Those who did not pass the screening process were sent back home.
Ellis Island : “The Island of Tears”
Some people who were screened and were sick were held in hospitals until they recovered. Those with incurable diseases were sent back home. New arrivals were also questioned to make sure they weren’t “feeble-minded” and were able to earn a living. Some immigrants called Ellis Island “The Island of tears” because families were pulled apart due to the screening process.
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6. Facing Obstacles Nativism Tenement housing Employment Unemployed
Long work day/low wages
Young children in sweat shops
Nativism was hostility from native-born Americans. They were angered by all the immigrants invading the cities and taking all the good-paying jobs. They felt that these immigrants could never become real Americans like they were. Some nativists merely disliked the religions of these immigrants (especially Jews and Catholics). Does this sound familiar?
Many immigrants lived in tenement housing. These were buildings designed to house many people for as cheap as possible. They were overcrowded, lacked sanitation, good lighting, and fresh air. Disease often ravished these apartment complexes. Does this sound familiar?
Finally, poor immigrant labored hard long days for an average of $2-3/day. Some of the worst conditions were in the garment industries called sweatshops. Here workers frantically sewed for long hours in dimly lit, poorly ventilated factories. Children even labored at these shops or in other working situations just to help the family out. They began working as soon as they began walking. If child labor laws existed, families would hide their children's ages just to have extra help with income.

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Immigration Today
The largest wave of immigration occurred between 1980 to 1996.
After living in the U.S. for 5 years under a visiting visa one can apply for citizenship.
America is a potpourri of many cultures tossed together like a salad in a bowl.
Click here to read more about recent Immigrants
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