Do Now 9-10-12 What is an immigrant? Why do you think immigrants would want to come to America? Predict what impact this will have on America. How do you.

Do Now 9-10-12

What is an immigrant? Why do you think immigrants would want to

come to America? Predict what impact this will have on

America. How do you think the immigrants will be

treated? Riddle: I have a heart that never beats; I

have a home but never sleep. I can take a man’s house and build another; I love to play games with my many brothers. I am a king among fools. Who am I?

SECTION 1: THE NEW IMMIGRANTS

THE LURE OF AMERICA

From 1800 to 1880, more than 10 million immigrants came to the United States. These were called “old immigrants.”

The new wave: between 1891-1910, some 12 million immigrants arrived on U.S. shores.

60 percent of the people living in the 12 largest cities were immigrants.

Statue of Liberty, 1876Statue of Liberty, 1876(Frederic Auguste Bartholdi)(Frederic Auguste Bartholdi)

About 70 percent of the new immigrants were Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Russian, Slovak, Arabs, Armenians, Chinese, French, Canadians, and Japanese. Their religions were Catholic, and Greek Orthodox.

Urban Growth: 1870 - Urban Growth: 1870 - 19001900

WHY DID THEY COME?

To escape poverty and persecution. To make more money.

HOW DID THEY GET HERE?

Railroad and steamship company promoters, often depicting a false picture of the U.S.

Steerage- poorest accommodations, below deck on the ship’s lower levels near the steering mechanisms; cramped quarters.

ARRIVING IN AMERICA

Ellis Island, New York Harbor or Angel Island in San Francisco Bay.

Ellis Island immigrants saw the statue of liberty and thought of the “American Dream.”

Only the “healthy” and those with a clean record could get into the country; others would be departed.

Charts on p. 221, 222

NEW LIFE

• Immigrants settled into crowded cities where they had low paying jobs; as a result, many were forced into poor houses.

• Immigrants often lived in their own community. For example, Chinese immigrants often lived in a Chinese community.

• Benevolent societies: Residents formed these to help immigrants in case of sickness, unemployment and death.

Pell St. - Chinatown, Pell St. - Chinatown, NYCNYC

Hester Street – Jewish Hester Street – Jewish SectionSection

CULTURAL PRACTICES

Immigrants were highly encouraged to become “American.”

THE IMMIGRANT WORKER

Often did the country’s “dirty work.” 15 hour work days. Sadie Frowne quote p. 224

Struggling Immigrant Struggling Immigrant FamiliesFamilies

NATIVIST

Many nativist (or native born Americans) blamed immigrants for social problems like crime, poverty, and spreading radical political ideas.

Many thought that the immigrants stole their jobs.

CHINESE EXCLUSION

Chinese had worked in California and were treated fairly well, until the Panic of 1873 hit, and people needed more jobs!

Denis Kearney (Irish immigrant), the leader of the Workingmen’s Party of California declared that the Chinese must go!

The state forbid Chinese residents to own property of work at certain jobs.

CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT

Denied citizenship to people born in China and prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers.

Many Chinese still came to the U.S.

IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION LEAGUE

Sought to impose a literacy test on all immigrants.

President Grover Cleveland vetoed this.