Chapter 20, Section 1
The New Immigrants (pp. 575-580)
Flood of Immigrants
New Immigration
arrivals from Southern and Eastern Eur.
Greeks, Russians, Hungarians, Italians,
Turks, Poles
1907: only 20% of immigrants coming
from Northern and Western Europe
shift to Catholics and Jews for religion
few new immigrants speak English
immigration from Mexico, Japan, and
China increased
Leaving Troubles Behind
emigration: leaving one’s homeland
ethnic groups: minorities that spoke
different languages or followed different
customs from most people in the country
discrimination, persecution, and poverty
drove immigrants to America
The Journey to
America
The Statue of Liberty
most European immigrants came to NYC
1886: Statue of Liberty erected
gift from France
poem on base by Emma Lazarus
Entering America
immigrants gad to register at gov’t centers
1892: Ellis Island opens in NYC
Asian immigrants were processed in San
Francisco at Angel Island
Entrance Examinations
names were often changed/shortened at
processing centers
asked for name / occupation / relatives
health exam to quarantine contagious ppl
The Immigrant
Experience
Finding Work
biggest challenge was to find work
hired by fast-growing industry (steel)
Women and Children at Work
sweatshop: dark, crowded workshops
where workers made clothing
work for women and children
repetitious and hazardous work for low
pay and long hours
Adjusting to America
assimilate: to absorb a group into the
culture of a larger group
conflict between tradition & assimilation
tension between parents and children
language was the largest barrier
Building Communities
many immigrants were farmers who
settled in the city
ethnic groups helped new immigrants
communities/neighborhoods formed
newspapers and places of worship were
at the center of the community
Native-born
Americans React
Anti-Immigrant Sentiment
fear that immigrants were taking away
jobs
ethnic, religious, and racial differences
caused tension
nativist: person who opposed immigration
calls for restrictions on immigration
Native-born
Americans React
New Immigration Laws
Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)
prohibited Chinese immigration for ten
years
extended in 1892 and 1902
Gentleman’s Agreement (1908)
Japan agreed to restrict immigration
America agreed to fair treatment
other laws
1882: immigrant tax
1897: literacy requirement
Immigration Act of 1917
vetoed by President Cleveland
required literacy test
Immigrants’ Contributions
America is a nation of immigrants
Immigrants’ Protective League
founded by Grace Abbott and Julia
Clifford Lathrop
supported immigrants
immigrants supplied a much-needed
workforce for industries
enriched American culture with new
customs