Immigration in the U.S.
Early 20th Century
Section 15*1
p. 460
Lesson Objectives
1. Describe the journey immigrants
endured and their experiences at
United States immigration stations.
1. Examine the causes and effects of the
nativists’ anti-immigrant sentiments.
European Immigration 1870-1920
• Mainly Eastern and Southern Europeans
• Motivated by religious freedom, political
freedom, and economic opportunities
• Most arrive in the East through Ellis
Island
Ellis Island
An Immigrant’s Journey
Stop 1: The Arrival
• New arrivals were taken
by ferry to the main
building at Ellis Island.
• The first immigrant to
arrive was a 15-year-old
girl from Ireland named
Annie Moore to join her
parents in New York
City.
Did You Know?
Over 12 million immigrants were
admitted to the U.S. through Ellis
Island
Stop 2: The Baggage Room
• The Baggage Room
is where immigrants
entered the main
building.
• Immigrants with
heavy luggage left it
here until they were
finished.
Did You Know?
Over 40% of all Americans can trace
their roots back to Ellis Island
Stop Three: Stairs to the Great Hall
The "six second
medical exam.“
• As the immigrants
climbed the stairs to
the Great Hall,
doctors stood at the
top and watched.
They were looking
for anyone having
difficulty coming up
the steps.
examination.
Stop Three: Stairs to the Great Hall
• If a medical problem
or disability was
suspected, 1 of 17
different chalk
marks was put on
the person's
clothing. They were
then sent for a full
physical
Did You Know?
Children were a common sight at Ellis
Island. During its 62 years in operation,
355 babies were actually born on the
island!
Stop Four: Medical Exam
• Medical exams were
used to find people with
contagious diseases
• If their problem was
curable, immigrants
were sent to the island's
hospital. If it was not,
the steamship company
that brought them would
have to pay to send
them back
Stop Five: The Great Hall
• Immigrants waited here
for their interviews with
legal inspectors after
finishing their medical
exams.
• Process took 3-5 hours
• Some families stayed
for days on Ellis Island,
others for weeks, and
still others for months.
Did You Know?
The dining hall for detainees could seat
up to 1,200. The menu featured beef
stew or baked beans, and extra
crackers and milk were provided at
each meal for women and children.
Stop Six: Legal Inspection
• Immigrants had to
prove they could
legally come into
America.
• They had to prove
their country of
origin and where
they expected to live
and work once they
entered the country.
Stop Six: Legal Inspection
• Inspectors rejected any
immigrant with a
criminal record or those
suspected of being
indentured servants.
•
By 1921, immigrants
had to pass a literacy
test and show a
passport and visa
Stop Seven: Money Exchange
• Immigrants could
exchange the money of
their homeland for
dollars, and purchase
any train tickets they
needed.
• Laws passed in 1909
required each
immigrant to have at
least 25 dollars before
they were allowed to
enter America.
Stop Eight: The Journey’s End
Staff members referred to this spot as
the kissing post because of all the
emotional reunions that were witnessed
there.
• 2/3 of the new
Americans then
boarded a ferry to New
Jersey, where the next
leg of their American
journey would begin.
• 1/3 took the ferryboat to
Manhattan to begin
their new life in New
York City, only one mile
away.
Asian Immigration 1851-1883
• Chinese arrived to work
on railroads
• Japanese arrive when
US annexes Hawaii
• Arrive on West Coast
through Angel Island
Life in the New Land
• Adjust to language
and culture
• Many immigrants settle in
isolated communities
• Immigrant organizations formed to help
each other
Immigration Restrictions
• Nativism:
– Formation of Anti-Immigrant groups
– “Quotas” put into effect
• Prejudice
– Segregation in San Francisco
– Gentleman’s Agreement of 1907-1908
Immigration Restrictions
• Chinese Exclusion Act - 1882
– Backlash against Chinese laborers
– Act banned most immigrants from China
The Challenges of Urbanization
Section 15-2
pp. 468-472
Preview Questions
• Why did people move to the cities?
• What problems did city dwellers face?
• How did reformers help the poor?
Urban Opportunities
• Urbanization: Rapid growth of cities
– Who was moving to the cities?
– Why did people move to the cities?
• Americanization Movement:
– Program to teach American culture to
immigration
Urban Problems
• What problems were caused by
urbanization?
• Tenement:
– Multifamily dwellings
– Often overcrowded and unsanitary
– Virtual Tour of a NYC Tenement
Reformers Mobilize
• Social Gospel Movement:
– Movement that urged people to help the
poor
– Jane Addams:
• Social reformer who helped the poor
• Created Hull House in Chicago
Politics in the Gilded Age
Section 15*3
pp. 473-477
Preview Questions
1. How did political machines control the
cities?’
2. How were political bosses corrupt?
3. How was civil service reformed?
4. What happened to tariffs?
I. Political Machines
•
Group that controlled the activities of
a political party in a city
– Controlled city jobs and agencies
– Solved problems for voters
– Rely on immigrant support
II. Graft and Scandal
• Graft: Illegal use of political power for
personal gain
• Use fake names to vote
• Kickbacks and Bribes
II. Graft and Scandal
• Boss Tweed
– Controlled Tammany
Hall Machine in NYC
– Accused of stealing
$40m form NYC
taxpayers
– Eventually jailed
III. Civil Service Replaces Patronage
• Patronage: Rewarding political
supporters with jobs
• Problem: Inept people get jobs
• Civil Service Program: Based on merit
III. Civil Service Replaces Patronage
• Rutherford B. Hayes
– Leaves office over reform issues
– Stalwart: Oppose reform
• James A. Garfield
– Turns out to be reformer
– Assassinated
III. Civil Service Replaces Patronage
• Chester A. Arthur
– Also turns reformer
– Pendelton Civil Service Act
• Qualified workers
• Results in close ties b/w
business and gov’t
IV. Business Buys Influence
• Grover Cleveland
– Tries to reduce tariffs, but fails
• Benjamin Harrison
– McKinley Tariff Act: Highest levels yet