Ch. 15 Through Ellis Island and Angel Island: The Immigrant Experience/EQ: What was it like to be a an immigrant at the turn of the century?

Transcription

1 Ch. 15 Through Ellis Island and Angel Island: The Immigrant Experience/EQ: What was it like to be a an immigrant at the turn of the century? 15.2 Why Europeans Immigrated to the United States Push factors are problems that cause people to move pull factors are attractions that draw them to another place arable land, or land suitable for growing crops pogroms, or organized anti-jewish attacks, that had forced them to leave their country America Letters were communication that might be published in newspapers that described the greatness of America. steerage, the open area below the main deck. Push Factors Pull Factors Improvements Rapid population growth Free & democratic society Technological innovation Hunger Farmland, resources, forests steamship Farmland Booming industries offered 3 months to 2 weeks Religious & political lots of jobs Steerage class bottom Persuasion - Horrible conditions

2 15.3 To Ellis Island & Beyond Ellis Island Immigration Station, built in 1892, was the port of entry for most European immigrants arriving in New York City. Medical Inspections Legal Interviews Beyond Ellis Island Great Hall Registry Hall 29 Qs Urban population explosion 6-second exam Answers had to match Horrible living conditions High anxiety passenger list from ship Tenements Deportation forced return to homeland 20% failed med/leg inspections Looking for familiar areas, language, customs, food, Eye exam most dreaded Some sent to hospitals culture Hospitals or dorms Long wait

3 15.4 Responses to New European Immigrants Americanization of new immigrants was the promoting of loyalty to American values, the learning of the English language, and adopting of American customs. Nativism is policy of favoring the interests of native-born Americans over those of immigrants. Immigrants receive aid Assimilation Some Americans Reject Immig Government did not help Older immigrants tried to Many Americans disliked Looked to relatives, friends hold onto immigrants Ethnic organizations created customs/traditions Due to their Collected money Younger immigrants wanted religion/political beliefs Settlement Houses to fit in Nativism community centers Immigrants seen as threat to Provided daycare, classes, health clinics, recreation work opportunities Political bosses powerful leaders who controlled city

4 15.5 Immigration from Asia Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers, skilled or unskilled for 10 years, also prevented Chinese already in America from becoming citizens, first time immigration restricted solely based on nationality or race. Seeking Gold Exclusion Act Angel Island Other Asian Groups Mostly men Economy turned Ellis Island of the West Chin Exc Act led Mining, bad in Cali San Francisco to shortage of railroad, Chinese were Strict medical/legal laborers farming blamed interviews Japan, Korea, stoop labor Victims of Harder than Ellis Island Philippines Work for less violence Weeks, months, years Japan famers money Strong racial Wooden barracks successful hatred Crowded/unsanitary Children not Chinese Many never allowed in allowed to Exclusion Act Other groups faced attend school Some still allowed in hostilities Pres. T. Roosevelt reached Gentleman s Agreement

5 15.6 Immigration from the North and South Crossing Southern Border Legal restrictions on Chinese Led to Mexican immigration increase Mexicans tried to escape poverty/civil unrest Sought higher wages in US Suffered at hands of native-born Americans Cheap labor welcomed, but viewed as inferior Crossing Northern Border Mainly French-speaking Canadians Seeking greater economic opportunity Worked in textile/lumber Wanted to keep language, religion, customs Refused to assimilate Suffered at hands of native-born Americans