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Chapter 7: Immigrants and Cities. A NEW WAVE OF IMMIGRATION. NEW IMMIGRANTS. 1880s: in 1 decade as many immigrants came as in the previous 4 decades=“melting pot” Old immigrants: mostly from Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, and Scandinavia (Northern Europe)
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Chapter 7: Immigrants and Cities A NEW WAVE OF IMMIGRATION
NEW IMMIGRANTS • 1880s: in 1 decade as many immigrants came as in the previous 4 decades=“melting pot” • Old immigrants: mostly from Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, and Scandinavia (Northern Europe) • New Immigrants: from southern and eastern Europe countries like Italy, Poland, Russia, Greece, and Hungary • Brought new cultures and religions like Judaism, Eastern Orthodox, and Catholicism
COMING TO AMERICA • steerage: lower area of ship where steering was kept; immigrants traveled in this area • Cramped and dirty Europeans arrived at Ellis Island on East Coast/New York Ellis Island • Asian immigrants arrived at Angel Island in San Francisco Bay • Interrogated and examined physically before admitted
IMMIGRANT LIFE • Moved into large cities for work and stayed in neighborhoods with same nationality • Lived in tenements—poorly built, overcrowded apartments • Benevolent societies: aid organizations established by immigrants to help in case of illness, unemployment, or death • Eventually adopted American ways to fit in and promoted the free public education system as key to success in America
IMMIGRANT WORKERS • Most were farmers from their home country but couldn’t afford to be a farmer in America • Worked in factories as unskilled labor for little pay and in bad conditions • Many worked in small factories making clothing known as sweatshops for long hours and unhealthy conditions • Earned living by how many pieces they made=pieceworkers
IMMIGRANT WORKERS • Many women worked as maids and cooks or ran boardinghouses • Some skilled laborers borrowed money and opened their own businesses • Many returned to Europe
OPPOSITION TO IMMIGRATION • Nativists: Americans that were already here • Prejudice against Asian and southern and eastern European immigrants’ languages and customs • Argued that the immigrants’ lack of education would harm American society • Feared they would take away jobs • Some took place in violence against immigrants
OPPOSITION TO IMMIGRATION • Chinese Exclusion Act: 1882 Congress passed • Banned Chinese immigrants for 10 years • First time specific nationality was banned • Chinese American population dropped in 1800s and Congress extended ban into the 1900s • Immigration Restriction League: est. by nativists -demanded all immigrants prove they could read and write
Homework • Using your notes create a crossword puzzle with the key terms • We will exchange crossword puzzles on Monday to complete with each other. • You can use an online generator like http://www.puzzle-maker.com/crossword_Entry.cgi