A Nation of Immigrants
The United States is a nation of immigrants. Every American is either an immigrant or has
ancestors who were immigrants. Even the American Indians are immigrants. Their ancestors came
to North America from Asia over 50,000 years ago.
During the 1800s, two waves of immigrants swept ashore. The first wave arrived in the
1840’s from western and northern Europe. These “old immigrants” included the Irish, Germans,
and Scandinavians. In the 1880’s, a second wave poured into the United States. These “new
immigrants” arrived from southern and eastern Europe. Their ways of living were far different
than earlier immigrants. They had a more difficult time adjusting to American life and being
accepted by other Americans.
Pushed Out of Europe
Immigrants were pushed out of Europe for different reasons. The Irish were forced out by
poor harvest, hunger and poverty. The Germans and Italians left to avoid war, political conflict,
military service and high taxes. Russian Jews fled to escape harsh treatment for their religious
beliefs. Many hoped to make money and return to their homeland. Every immigrant saw a chance
to build a better life in America.
Pulled to America
Immigrants were pulled to America like a magnet. They were drawn by the promise of
freedom, equality and opportunity. They viewed America as the “golden country.” Some actually
believed that American streets were paved with gold. Religious refugees called America a “land
flowing with milk and honey.” They had heard that there was plenty for all in a land where
everything was free and everyone was happy. The American dream of wealth and happiness could
be achieved through hard work and determination.
Through the Golden Door
They sold their belongings, packed their bags, and booked passage to America. After 1886,
the first sight they saw when they arrived in New York harbor with the Statue of Liberty. The
words on its base spoke of the promise of America: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled
masses yearning to breathe free . . . I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” The golden door was
open or shut at Ellis Island. There they checked for disease, given a number and asked to fill out
some forms. A few were refused entry and “deported” or sent back to Europe. Over 23 million
were welcomed through the golden door between 1880 and 1910.
More Colors than any Rainbow
The Germans and Scandinavians bought farms on the western frontier. Most immigrant
groups, however, settled in the eastern cities. They moved into ethnic neighborhoods like “Little
Dublin,” “Little Italy,” “Little Poland” or “Little Russia.” The residents in each neighborhood spoke
the same language, ate the same food and practiced the same customs and traditions. Immigrants
felt more comfortable among their own people. A reporter wrote that if a map were drawn of New
York’s ethnic neighborhoods, it would have “more stripes than the skin of a zebra, and more colors
than any rainbow.” Families crowded into cheap, poorly-built apartments called “tenements”
located in the rundown sections of town called “slums” or “ghettos.”
“I got another horse”
Immigrants had little education and no special skills. They were hired for jobs requiring
heavy manual labor. If they became sick or injured, they were replaced with one of the thousands
of unemployed laborers. When one immigrant asked for his old job back, the boss told him, “I
couldn’t wait for you to return. I got another horse.” The immigrants worked in hot, crowded,
noisy factories called “sweatshops.” They worked ten hours a day, six days a week, for about 15
cents per hour. Sometimes the entire family, including children, was forced to work to meet
expenses. Since immigrants were willing to work long hours at low pay, they sometimes took jobs
away from native-born Americans. The “American Protective Association” was organized in the
1890’s on the slogan “America for Americans.” They blamed their economic problems on
immigration. Immigrants suffered ridicule, prejudice, and discriminations.
Selfish and unselfish motives to help
Some Americans tried to help the poor. Politicians offered to help them find a job or a place
to live in return for their votes. These political machines were able to get things done when the city
government moved too slowly. Other Americans had more unselfish motives for helping the urban
poor. These “social workers” set up neighborhood centers called “settlement houses.” They
provided recreational, educational, medical and financial services. They offered classes in art,
music, drama, and citizenship. Children of working parents were cared for in their day nurseries.
In 1889, the most famous settlement house, called “Hull House,” was established in Chicago by Jane
Addams. Social workers in other cities organized settlement houses based on the Hull House
model.
Melting Pot or Salad Bowl?
Immigrants have changed America as much as America has changed them. Their food,
clothing styles, music, traditions, vocabulary and religious beliefs have become part of the American
way of life. Each group made a special contribution. For example, the Germans brought
hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad and the Christmas tree. The Italians shared their pizzas,
spaghetti, lasagna, and opera. Some have called the mixture of cultures an American “melting pot.”
Others have described it more like a “salad bowl” where each ingredient adds to the overall flavor.
There is no doubt, however, that immigrants have helped make America great.
Assignment:
Pretend that you are an American immigrant during the late 1800’s. You have decided to
record your experiences in a journal. The topics for the 8 entries in your journal are listed below.
Your story will be written in the first person. Use words like “I”, “me”, “my”, and “mine.” Before
writing you entries, you must select the European country you’ve left, the year(s) of your journal
and your name.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
My reason for leaving Europe.
My image of America before leaving Europe.
My voyage to America.
My arrival at Ellis Island in New York Harbor.
My neighborhood and home.
My job at the factory.
The problems and hardships I’ve faced in America.
How I’ve been helped in America.
Grading:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Grading will be based upon relevance of each journal entry to topic and creativity.
Each entry is worth 5 points.
Overall presentation of journal is worth 25 points.
65 Total Points