The New Immigrants

The New ImmigrantsThe New ImmigrantsPromise of a Better LifePromise of a Better Life

The New ImmigrantsThe New Immigrants• Millions of Millions of

immigrantsimmigrants entered entered the U.S. in the late the U.S. in the late 1919thth and early 20 and early 20thth centuries. Some centuries. Some came to escape came to escape difficult times, others difficult times, others known as known as “birds of “birds of passage”passage” intended to intended to stay only temporarily stay only temporarily to earn money and to earn money and then return to their then return to their homeland.homeland.

EuropeansEuropeans• Between 1870 and Between 1870 and

1920, about 1920, about 20 million 20 million EuropeansEuropeans arrived in arrived in the United States. the United States. Before 1890, most Before 1890, most were from western & were from western & northern Europe. northern Europe. After 1890, most came After 1890, most came from southern & from southern & eastern Europe. All eastern Europe. All were were looking for looking for opportunityopportunity

ChineseChinese • Between 1851 and Between 1851 and

1882, about 1882, about 300,000 300,000 ChineseChinese arrived on the arrived on the West Coast. Some were West Coast. Some were attracted by the Gold attracted by the Gold Rush, others went to Rush, others went to work for the railroads, work for the railroads, farmed, or worked as farmed, or worked as domestic servants. domestic servants. An An anti-Chinese anti-Chinese immigration actimmigration act passed passed by Congress curtailed by Congress curtailed immigration after 1882.immigration after 1882.

JapaneseJapanese• In 1884, the Japanese In 1884, the Japanese

government allowed government allowed Hawaiian plantersHawaiian planters to to recruit Japanese recruit Japanese workers. The U.S. workers. The U.S. annexation of Hawaii annexation of Hawaii in 1898 increased in 1898 increased Japanese immigration Japanese immigration to the west coast. By to the west coast. By 1920, more than 1920, more than 200,000 Japanese200,000 Japanese lived lived on the west coaston the west coast

The West Indies and The West Indies and MexicoMexico

• Between 1880 and Between 1880 and 1920, about 260,000 1920, about 260,000 immigrants arrived in immigrants arrived in the United States from the United States from the the West Indies West Indies (Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto (Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other Rico, and other islands). islands). MexicansMexicans, too, , too, came to the U.S. to find came to the U.S. to find work and flee political work and flee political turmoil – 700,000 turmoil – 700,000 Mexicans arrived in the Mexicans arrived in the early 20early 20thth century. century.

Arriving in the New LandArriving in the New Land• In the late 19In the late 19thth century century

most immigrants most immigrants arrived by boat. The trip arrived by boat. The trip from Europe took about from Europe took about a month, while it took a month, while it took about three weeks from about three weeks from Asia. The trip was Asia. The trip was arduous and many died arduous and many died along the way. along the way. Destination was Destination was Ellis Ellis IslandIsland for Europeans, for Europeans, and and Angel IslandAngel Island for for Asians.Asians.

Ellis Island, New YorkEllis Island, New York• From 1892-1924, From 1892-1924, 17 17

million European million European immigrantsimmigrants passed passed through Ellis Island’s through Ellis Island’s facilities. Processing facilities. Processing took hours, and the took hours, and the sick were sent home. sick were sent home. Immigrants had to Immigrants had to show that they were show that they were not criminals, had not criminals, had some some money ($25), money ($25), and were able to work.and were able to work.

Ellis Island

Angel Island, San Angel Island, San FranciscoFrancisco

• Asians, primarily Asians, primarily Chinese, arriving on Chinese, arriving on the West Coast the West Coast gained admission at gained admission at Angel Island in the Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay. San Francisco Bay. Processing was Processing was much harsher than much harsher than Ellis Island as Ellis Island as immigrants immigrants withstood tough withstood tough questioning and long questioning and long detentions in detentions in filthy filthy conditions.conditions.

Ethnic NeighborhoodsEthnic Neighborhoods• When immigrants arrived, When immigrants arrived,

they were greeted with they were greeted with hostility by some native-hostility by some native-born Americans. To born Americans. To preserve their culture and preserve their culture and survive in the new land, the survive in the new land, the newcomers built ethnic newcomers built ethnic neighborhoods (Little neighborhoods (Little Italies, Little Polands, Italies, Little Polands, Germantowns, Germantowns, Chinatowns). Some came to Chinatowns). Some came to think ofthink ofthemselves as themselves as hyphenated hyphenated Americans.Americans.

MULBERRY ST

NYC, 1900

Immigrant RestrictionsImmigrant Restrictions• As immigration As immigration

increased, so did anti-increased, so did anti-immigrant feelings. immigrant feelings. NativismNativism (favoritism (favoritism toward native-born toward native-born Americans) led to anti-Americans) led to anti-immigrant immigrant organizations and organizations and restrictions against restrictions against immigration. In 1882, immigration. In 1882, Congress passed the Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion ActChinese Exclusion Act which limited Chinese which limited Chinese immigration until immigration until 1943.1943.

Anti-Asian feelings included restaurant boycotts