The Immigrant Experience

Immigrants from Europe

Some immigrants came from Asia, Mexico & Canada, but most came from Europe

1840s-1890s, Europeans came from northern & western Europe Irish, British, German, Scandinavian

Late 1800s-1900s, more Europeans began coming from southern & eastern Europe Italians, Greeks, Hungarians, Poles, Russians

Why Europeans Emigrated

Push Factors Difficulties in EuropePopulation GrowthLack of JobsCrop FailuresLack of Arable Land (suitable for growing crops)

Why Europeans Emigrated

HungerPogroms – organized persecution or extermination of an ethnic group Russian & Polish Jews

Why Europeans Emigrated

Pull Factors Opportunities in the U.S.Life in a Free & Democratic SocietyAchieve their DreamsNatural Resources

Farmland, Minerals, ForestsJobs“America Letters” – letters from

family members who had already emigrated

Improvement in Transportation

After the Civil War, the steamship replaced the sailing ship2 weeks versus 3 months

Some passengers could afford cabins, but most had to settle for steerage

Improvement in Transportation

Steerage – area below the main deck Seasickness, spoiled food, filthy conditions

During the day, huddled on the deck for fresh air

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame, "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Emma Lazarus, New York City, 1883

Ellis Island Immigration Station, 1892

RegistrationMedical Inspections – “Six-second

Exam”Physical & Eye ExamSome pulled aside for a closer

inspection L – Lameness H – Heart Condition X – Mental Problem E – Eye Condition

Detained or Deported

Life in the Cities

Some immigrants found their way to farm country of the Midwest

Most found jobs in the citiesUrban populations explodedGhettos formed – immigrants generally settled among others from their home country

Life in the Cities

Most worked in low-wage, dangerous factory jobs

Sources of AidRelatives & FriendsSettlement House – community center that provided a variety of services to the poor, especially to immigrants

Political Bosses – powerful leaders who ran local politics

Assimilation of Immigrants = Americanization

Older immigrants held onto customs & language

Children of immigrants found assimilation into American society easier than their parents didStudied American history & civicsLearned English

Rejection of Immigrants

Many Americans disliked recent immigrants because of religious & cultural differences

Dislike & fear provoked demands to limit immigration

Nativism – policy of favoring the interests of native-born Americans over those of immigrants

Rejection of Immigrants

Know-Nothings Political Party“I don’t know.”

1894, Immigration Restriction LeagueLiteracy TestsWanted federal law, but President Vetoed

Immigration Quotas – restricted the flow of European immigrants into the U.S.