1. Why did they Go? Lesson starter:
Why do you think many people left their own country to go to the USA?

2. Today we will…
Understand why people were pushed from their own country
Understand the things that pulled them to America
Identify why Black Americans were different types of immigrants

3. Push and Pull Factors
PUSH factors force people from their own country (push them out)
PULL factors attract them to another country (pull them in)
With a partner, come up with a list of possible push and pull factors for a Scottish person moving to America in 1900.

4. Friends/ family already there Achievement of American Dream
PULL factors
Political freedom
Plentiful food
Lots of work available
Higher wages in USA
Friends/ family already there
Achievement of American Dream
Growing industries
Business opportunities and chance to become wealthy
PUSH factors
Persecution in own country
Famine
Lack of employment in own country
No political freedom in own country
Poor housing in own country
Poverty in own country
Other factors (such as Highland Clearances)

5. Where did people come from?
First Wave (pre 1900)
Britain
Ireland
Germany
Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway Sweden)
Second Wave (after 1900)
Poland
Italy
Russia
Turkey
Greece

6. Two different theories of immigration to the USA…
The Melting Pot
Idea that all the different nationalities, races and religions mix in to make a new race – The American
It is impossible to pick out the differences

7. The Salad Bowl All races mix in together
But like a salad, it is possible to pick out all the different parts
They do not fully integrate

8. Video Clips
Why become a US citizen?
BBC Clip – immigration to America

9. Today’s Tasks
Do you think Britain’s population is a melting pot or salad bowl? Write a paragraph with your ideas.
Make a mind map or spider diagram showing the places that US immigrants came from.
Copy or trace the melting pot diagram on page 8 of Free at Last? Textbook.