American Studies

Immigration

Before Civil War “Old Immigrants” from Western Europe

Ireland: The Great Potato Famine 1845-1852

After 1865 After the Civil War: “New Immigrants”

from Eastern Europe, Italy, Austria, Russia and Scandinavian countries Settle in cities or explore western frontier

On west coast: From Asian countries More immigrants coming to the US than

ever before Most come through Ellis Island in NYC

http://www.history.com/topics/ellis-island/videos#detained-at-ellis-island

http://www.history.com/topics/ellis-island/videos#hurdles-to-citizenship-on-ellis-island

Reasons for Immigration Push Factors: Reasons to leave their home country

Poverty: Not enough jobs High inflation: Food is expensive Religious and Political discrimination or persecution Europe: Crowded with very little land to purchase

Pull Factors: Reasons to come to the United States Many jobs in new factories Growing economy Religious and Political freedom Lots of land to settle and farm out West

Practice Question What factor contributed to the migration of

large numbers of people from Europe to the US in the late 1800s? A. The US needed people to colonize the

overseas territories it had recently acquired B. European social reform movements wanted

to spread their beliefs to the US C. Economic prosperity in Europe allowed

people to purchase land in the US D. Industrialization in the US attracted laborers

from Europe

European Immigrants: Italians Italians leave due to poverty

Most of income spent on food Divided land among family-not enough to

make a profit off crops Promise of success in US Lack of democracy in Italy

Few had the right to vote

Russians and Jews Jews in Russia were persecuted Come to US for religious freedom

Bring Eastern Orthodox and Jewish religion to US

In late 1800s: NYC had the largest Jewish population in the world

Recruitment Campaigns Representatives go to Europe to promote

idea of immigrating to the US with the American Dream

Give impression that anyone can become rich in a few years Railroad companies selling land in the west Steamships seeking passengers offer cheap tickets (as low as $25)

Practice Question Many people from the region of Southern

and Eastern Europe, such as Italians and Russians, immigrated to the United States between the Civil War and WWI. Identify two factors in their home region and two factors in America that led them to move to the United States? Short Answer (4 bullet points)

Asian Immigrants Most Asian immigrants settle on west

coast Bring Eastern culture: Very different from

Western California Gold Rush in starts in1849

Hope to get rich then go home Work on Central Pacific Railroad:

dangerous and many die building in mountains

Practice Question Religious diversity in the US started to

increase in the late 19th century. One factor that has contributed to this increase has been an increase in: A. Emigration to Africa B. Immigration from Asia C. Immigration from Australia D. Emigration to South America

Immigrant Life in the US More jobs in US cause of Industrialization

Europeans come expecting better pay = not true

Ghettos: A neighborhood where one ethnicity lives Try to preserve culture: language, religious

beliefs, customs, clothes, food, music, dance

Practice Question Many immigrants that came into America

lacked the knowledge of US cultures, especially language. When immigrants arrived they move into ghettos to feel more at home. What are ghettos? A. Rundown neighborhoods plagued with crime. B. Area right outside the cities where the poor or

middle class lived. C. A neighborhood where one ethnicity would live. D. A neighborhood that was established in their

old country.

Americanization Try to learn English and be “American”

Schools only teach in English Change names to fit in or make easier to

spell Only teach American history Teach beliefs of the dominant culture

Reactions to Immigrants Foreign-Born: Immigrant families “Native-Born”: Ancestors came to

America generations ago-born here

Dominant Group determines culture: Rugged Individualism: Responsibility and

work ethic White Superiority over all other races Western Culture (English/Protestant) is the

best for everyone

Debate: Which is best? Total Assimilation: Minority

learns/adopts customs of Dominant culture Americanized completely, get rid of foreign

customs, speak English Melting Pot Theory: All cultures

gradually blend into one superior American culture Take best from each, English as common

language Cultural Pluralism: All cultures

respected/valued individually Practice own customs while fitting into

society; English speaking is not superior

Practice Question During the late 19th century many

immigrants faced discrimination and were forced to adapt the new culture. In American there were three different ideas on how immigrants should inherit the new American culture. The idea that all cultures should blend together but English remains the dominant language is called: A. Assimilation B. Americanization C. Cultural Pluralism D. Melting Pot Theory

Nativist Opposition Nativists: Believes foreigners are a threat

to the dominant culture and should be stopped from entering the country

Reasons for hatred: Economic: Taking jobs and replacing workers Cultural: Protect from foreign influence on

culture and religion Psychological: Desire to feel superior, fear

those who are different Political: Fear immigrants are connected to

radical anarchist movements

Anti-Immigrant Sentiment Asian immigrants were met with more

hostility Thought to be taking too many jobs in west Chinese often work as replacement labor-

increases resentment Chinese Exclusion Act (1882): Halt all

future immigration and keep them from becoming US citizens Quota: A set number of immigrants allowed in

(small %)

Exclusion Acts Riots breakout in West over “yellow peril” Gentlemen’s Agreement: Teddy Roosevelt

stops Japanese segregation in school In return Japanese stop new immigrants from

coming to US

Nativist Response Literacy Tests: Disqualified for

immigration if they can’t read/write in any language

Emergency Quota Act of 1921 Quota Act of 1924: Limits # of

immigrants coming from all countries Drastically reduces immigrants until WWII

Immigration Today Total estimated unauthorized adult immigrant population in

2011: 9.9 million Total working: 6.4 million Total who are English Proficient: 2.9 million

1.8 million don’t speak English at all

Policy in the US: Difficult to legally become a citizen 90 day visitor pass or Visa, then Green Card (LPR) Takes 6 months to get your application reviewed to become a

legal resident Lack of official documents If you have money or education or join the military, you’re more likely

to be granted citizenship The process to become a full citizen can take 5 months to 2

years

Immigrant Demographic Legal Permanent Residents: 1.1 million in 2012

429,000 from Asia 107,000 from Africa 146,000 from Mexico

Majority settle in California, New York and Florida

Naturalized Citizens: Legal Residents for 5 years or married to a resident for 3 years Dual Citizenship: Only by birthright, otherwise it’s renounced If you are born in US citizen you are automatically a citizen If your parent was born in the US you are a citizen Deferred Action for children brought to US illegally

If they stay in school they can apply to become citizens at 18

Immigration Today What should our immigration policy be? Should it be the same toward all countries or

should we limit some? What should be the requirements to become a

citizen? Free trade agreement with Mexico State Laws: Arizona and border patrol European Union: Open borders and shared

economy Making friends or enemies? Immigrants of Middle Eastern decent