Chapter 21, Section 1: New Immigrants in a Promised Land

Main Idea: In the late 1800s, millions of “new immigrants” came to the United States in search of economic opportunity and freedom.

1.

2.

3.

A. Hopes and Fears

Push Factors

– conditions that drive people away from their homeland 1. Overpopulation – not enough jobs, scarce land 2. Poor Economy – poverty, hardships (potato famine in Ireland 3. Persecution – religious (Jews in Russia - pogroms) & political (revolution) 1.

2.

3.

Pull Factors –

conditions that attract people to a new place 1. Economic Opportunity – lots of jobs due to industrialization 2. Promise of Freedom – religious & political 3. Hope for a Better Life – “streets are paved with gold”

Immigration late 19th and early 20th centuries

fleeing

persecution famine Push Factors

/ poverty

political

turmoil lack of

farmland

in Europe • Russian •

Jews Armenians

•

Irish

• Chinese

Mexicans

• •

Irish Italians

Immigration late 19th and early 20th centuries

promise of

freedom

and a better life

Pull Factors

cheap

land

and

passage

to America join

family

and friends available

jobs

in

factories

and mines

Lack of Farmland in Europe • Land was

scarce

Europe, but it was

plentiful

in the U.S.

in German English African Italian Japanese Mexican Puerto Rican American Irish

B. The Unforgettable Voyage

Most immigrants traveled in steerage, the lowest & cheapest deck on the ship. It was often crowded, dirty & disease-ridden.

The Statue of Liberty (gift from France) greeted arrivals in NYC after 1886. It came to symbolize hope & freedom. Emma Lazarus wrote “The New Colossus” (…give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…)

German ship carrying immigrants to Ellis Island in steerage. (below deck)

B. (continued)

Ellis Island – processing station built in 1892 where immigrants were registered (some name changes) & inspected (physical & mental) before entry into US Angel Island – processing station in SF for Asian immigrants crossing the Pacific O.

The pens at Ellis Island, main hall. These people have passed the first mental inspection. (1902-1913)

Angel Island • From 1910 to 1940, thousands of immigrants, many of whom were Asian, entered the United States through Angel Island, CA.

1.

2.

3.

C. Changing Patterns of Immigration

“Old Immigration” “New Immigration”

Came before 1880ish Came from NW Europe (England, Ireland, Germany, etc.) Tended to settle on open land (cheap & available 1.

2.

3.

Came after 1880ish Came from SE Europe (Italy, Poland, Russia, Greece, etc.), Asia & Latin America Tended to settle in cities (industry jobs) * This group had it more difficult due to prejudice.

D. Adjusting to a New Land

Reality differed from expectations: “1 all. 3 rd pave them.” st , the streets were not paved w/ gold. 2 nd , they expected me to , the streets were not paved at Most immigrants settled in ethnic neighborhoods (Little Italy, China Town). This helped them adjust to a new country & keep old customs.

Assimilation – becoming part of another culture. Kids assimilated quicker because: 1. school (English, US history) 2. less attached to the old ways

We love social studies!

Adjusting to a New Land

· Most immigrants stayed in the

cities

where they landed.

· By 1900, lower Manhattan was the most

crowded

place in the world.

Hester Street, ca. 1900

· Immigrants

adjusted

by settling in communities with people of their own

ethnic

group.

Little Italy, New York City A Jewish vendor in Lower East Side, New York City

·

Assimilation

was a long, slow process.

Assimilation

- process whereby a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the majority culture.

E. Anti-Immigrant Feeling Grows

Nativism – anti- immigrant feelings Reasons: 1. overcrowding 2. prejudice (different customs, etc) 3. complained that immigrants took jobs & kept wages low Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) – barred immigration for 10 yrs (renewed several times)