UNIT #3 – URBANIZATION
LESSON #2 Immigration from Asia (116-117)
Essential Questions
3. Why is Nativism an embarrassment to our
American history?
4. Why was it so easy to discriminate against
the Asian population?
In Composition Book:
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
3. Why is Nativism an
embarrassment to our
American history?
4. Why was it so easy to
discriminate against
the Asian population?
NEW VOCABULARY
1. Angel Island
2. Nativism
3. American Protective
Association
4. Chinese Exclusion Act
of 1882
5. “Oriental School”
6. “Gentlemen’s
Agreement”
Intro to lesson
• “It was a warm day and were thirsty. . . .
The guard withdrew and returned shortly
with a pail of water, which he set before the
group of women. Some men stepped
forward quickly to have a drink, but the
guard pushed them back, saying "Ladies
first!" When the women learned what the
guard had said, they were dumbfounded,
for in Slovenia, women were always second
to men. . . . Happy at the sudden turn of
events, one elderly lady stepped forward,
holding a dipper of water, and proposed this
toast . . . "Long live America, where women
are first!”
Mary Priestland, recalling her first days in America
Questions to ponder:
1. What does this quote say about USA in
comparison to other areas of the world?
2. What does this say about what will happen
next in America?
3. Will these new immigrant women value their
new home? Why?
4. Even though this may be a dig on immigrant
men, what does it also say for THEM? (in
other words, how will THEY ALSO benefit
from this type of revelation?
Asian Immigration
• West Coast had its own version of Ellis Island:
– Angel Island – in San Francisco
• Chinese had been in America since the 1850s
– To escape an major rebellion in China
– Millions were being slaughtered
– Millions more were starving
• Chinese were vital to building the
Transcontinental RR in 1860s
• Anyone who competed with the Chinese for a
job discriminated against them
Nativism Resurges
• Extreme hostility against non-native born
• Appeared in 1850s against the Irish
• Reasons: (find on p. 116)
- Some feared that Catholics would displace Protestants
- Others feared they’d lose their jobs to immigrants
• American Protective Association – to prevent
Irish Catholics from getting jobs or public
office: IT WAS AN ANTI-IMMIGRANT GROUP
• Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882:
AN ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAW
– Ironically, it was the Irish who proposed this law
Map Analysis
Look at the map on p. 117
1. Where were the Irish going when the left
New York and Pennsylvania?
2. Which group was the largest, when you add
them all up?
3. What ethnic group filled the northern section
of the central part of America?
Racist Protective Laws
• American Protective Association –
• Chinese Exclusion Act –
• Oriental School -
Questions to ponder
1. Imagine you were an immigrant. What do
you think it would feel like?
2. What difficulties might you have?
3. What would you do to ease your culture
shock?
4. Discuss the homework you had last night…
Last night’s Homework:
• As your parents where you’re from.
• Ask them stories they have heard about when
your ancestors came to America.
• Call your grandparents, and ask them.
• If you have “nothing or no one,” then research
anything about your ancestry… find out
SOMETHING about your roots.
Regions for Streets of New York
1. Latin America (Cuba, Mexico, South America)
2. East Asia (China and Japan)
3. British Isles (England, Scotland, Ireland) – Jess’s
group
4. Southern Europe (Italy, Greece) – Chelsea’s
group
5. Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Russia)
6. Central Europe (Germany, Austria, Poland)
7. South Asia (India, Pakistan)