Mr. Pettit
APUSH
THE “NEW”: IMMIGRATION
“Between 1866-1915, about 25 million foreigners entered the United States.”
Push and Pull Factors for immigration:
PUSH FACTORS
PULL FACTORS
Key Points on New Immigrants:
 Old Immigrants usually came from Northern and Western Europe, New
Immigrants usually came from Southern and Eastern Europe.
 Xenophobia and Nativism were common problems new immigrants faced
in the U.S.A.
 Their journey, while speedy, was usually by no means pleasant. (steerage)
 Most immigrants were able to pass through immigration stations even with
some physical or mental issues. (Ellis Island, NY, Angel Island, CA)
 Anarchy and Communism was usually associated with new immigrants.
 Little legislation was used to prohibit new immigrants. (Exclusion Act,
1882)
 Most immigrants settled in cities and worked in industrial jobs.
 Most immigrants settled in parts of cities that had high concentrations of
immigrants from similar backgrounds.
 Living in “ghettos” or “slums” was not necessarily viewed as a negative.
 “Rugged Individualism” represents the immigrant mentality to the
“American Dream.”
Social Classes in America around the turn of the century…
1. Upper class: tycoons, wealthy businessmen.
2. Middle Class: wage earners, skilled artisans, and most likely
“Natives”.
3. Lower Class: most likely new immigrants and unskilled workers.