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

1. 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.

2. 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) 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” A. Hopes and Fears

3. Immigration late 19th and early 20th centuries lack of farmland in Europe Push Factors fleeing persecution political turmoil famine / poverty • Irish • Italians • Russian Jews • Armenians Mexicans • Irish • Chinese

4. Immigration late 19th and early 20th centuries cheap land and passage to America Pull Factors promise of freedomand a better life available jobs in factories and mines join family and friends

5. Lack of Farmland in Europe • Land was scarce in Europe, but it was plentiful in the U.S. German Italian Puerto Rican   English Japanese American African Mexican Irish

6. 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…)

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

9. 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.

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

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

14. “Old Immigration” Came before 1880ish Came from NW Europe (England, Ireland, Germany, etc.) Tended to settle on open land (cheap & available “New Immigration” 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. C. Changing Patterns of Immigration

16. D. Adjusting to a New Land We love social studies! • Reality differed from expectations: “1st, the streets were not paved w/ gold. 2nd, the streets were not paved at all. 3rd, they expected me to pave them.” • 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

17. 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

18. · Immigrants adjusted by settling in communities with people of their own ethnic group. A Jewish vendor in Lower East Side, New York City Little Italy, New York City

19. · Assimilation was a long, slow process. Assimilation- process whereby a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the majority culture.

20. 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)