The New Immigrants from Strongsville City Schools edited

The New Immigrants from Strongsville City Schools, edited by Spinrad Chapter 7 Section 1

A. Reason Immigrants come to America: 1. Lured by promise of better life 2. Escape difficult conditions at home a. Famine b. Land Shortages 3. Escape religious/political persecution 4. Jobs supposedly plentiful in America (streets lined with gold) 5. Some came to earn money then go back (Bird of Passage) I. ) Why Leave?

European Immigrants: 1890 and before: English, Irish, German, Scandinavian After: Italian, Russian, and Polish B. Asian Immigrants: 1. Chinese and Japanese C. West Indies and Mexico: 1. Mexican, Jamaica, Cuba, and Puerto Rico A. II. ) Came from where?

Traveled by steamship to America 1. trip across Atlantic took 1 week 2. trip across Pacific took 3 weeks B. Traveled in “Steerage” or the cheapest accommodations in a ship’s cargo hold C. Conditions: A. III. ) The Journey to America

Ellis Island: immigration station in New York Harbor which decided whether or not immigrants would be admitted to America B. 17 million immigrants passed through 1. Had to pass a physical health exam 2. Had to pass a government inspector’s test a. able to work? b. have some money? c. never been convicted of a felony? A. IV. ) Ellis Island

Angel Island: immigration station in the San Francisco Bay which decided whether or not immigrants would be admitted to America B. Between 1910 -1940 50, 000 Chinese enter U. S. 1. much more harsh 2. longer decision time A. V. ) Angel Island

Challenges Faced by Immigrants: 1. find a place to live 2. find a job 3. understand language 4. understand culture B. Coping with new life: 1. create ethnic communities A. VI. ) So Your IN! Now What?

Native born Americans saw country as a “Melting Pot” B. Most immigrants did not give up “old” culture (salad bowl) Outcome: as immigrants numbers increased antiimmigrant feelings emerge A. VII. ) Immigration Restrictions

C. Nativism: favoritism toward native-born Americans 1. anti-immigration groups began to form - Immigration Restriction League - American Protective Association 2. demand for immigration restrictions grew

1897 Congress pass law requiring literacy test for immigrants (President Cleveland veto's) E. 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act: law passed by Congress which banned Chinese immigrants for a period of 10 years (few exceptions) F. 1906 San Francisco Board of Ed. Segregate Japanese school children Outcome: Almost started a war. Gentleman’s Agreement: Japan will limit immigration if segregation repealed D. Restrictions