Immigration Assimilation Theories in American Society

1. Over the years, historians have developed different theories on how immigrants were absorbed into larger society: • “Melting Pot” Theory: people from different cultures have met in the United States to form a new American culture. In other words, cultures “blend” together to become one making it difficult to distinguish between different cultures. • Assimilation: immigrants “disappear” into an already established American culture. They become “Americanized” by giving up their culture and adopt the appearances and attitudes of a larger society in order to be accepted.

2. "Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” • Statue of Liberty presented to the United States by the people of France in 1886 commemorates friendship in the American Revolution. • Standing on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, it welcomes visitors, immigrants, and returning Americans traveling by ship

3. Ellis Island • Between 1892-1954 12 million immigrants came through Ellis Island • 2 % were excluded from the USA and sent back (contagious disease or public problem such as an illegal laborer) • New immigrants (Southern and Eastern Europe) were seen as inferior compared to those who arrived earlier • Originally owned by Samuel Ellis, in the 1770s

12. Angel Island • Angel Island was the point of entry for the majority of the approximately 175,000 Chinese immigrant s who came to America between 1910 to 1940. • “Ellis Island of the West” • Angel Island was used to detain and process hundreds of primary Chinese and other Asian Immigrants.

13. Angel Island • Immigrants endured prison like conditions while waiting months to hear about their immigration status

14. Angel Island