Immigrants and Urbanization
 To summarize the various parts of the world
from which immigrants came to the “golden
door”
 To describe the journey immigrants endured
and how they passed through immigration
stations
 To explain the kinds of discrimination
immigrants faced and actions taken by
nativists
 Ellis Island
 Angel Island
 Melting Pot
 Nativism
 Chinese Exclusion Act
 Gentlemen’s Agreement
1.
Southern/Eastern Europe



2.
Asia



3.
Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Russia
Escape religious persecution & work
East Coast (Ellis Island)
China & Japan
Gold & work
West Coast (Angel Island)
Caribbean Islands and Central America



Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico
Work
East & Southeastern U.S.
 Almost all immigrants traveled by steamship
 Europe  US approximately 1 week
 Asia  US approximately 3 weeks
 Immigration station
 New York Harbor
 Mostly European
immigrants passed
through Ellis Island
 http://www.history.com/topics/ellisisland/videos/the-ellis-island-medicalinspection
 1. physical examination
 Sick? Sent home
 2. Government inspector





Checked Documents
Questioning to meet legal requirements
Literacy test in Native language
Ability to work
At least $25
 3.Ferry to NYC
Immigration station
San Francisco Bay
Mostly Asian immigrants
passed through
inspection.
America the melting
pot??? (different
cultures & races
blending together)
Anti-immigrant
(prejudice)
Native-born Americans
Blamed immigrants for
taking jobs
 Chinese were a major
target for discrimination
 Wanted strict immigration
laws
Chinese Exclusion Act
(1882)
 Banned entry to all
Chinese
 Except students,
teachers, merchants,
tourists, gov’t officials.
 Not repealed until
1943.
Gentlemen’s Agreement
Act (1907-1908)
 Limit immigration of
Japanese to U.S.