Early Immigration to America

Why did people immigrate to the United States?

• Escape religious persecution

• Lack of jobs

• Lack of farmland

• Political turmoil in their country of origin

• Strike it Rich! (Gold Rush)

• To improve their way of life (“The American Dream”)

Where were immigrants from?

• Europe– Germany (1)– Ireland (2)– Scandinavia (3)– Italy– England & Russia

• Asia– Japan– China

• North & South America– Mexico– Cuba– Puerto Rico

Hardships of Immigrants

• Difficult Journey to the U.S.– 1-3 week long voyage in

“Steerage”– Many died due to poor

living conditions aboard ship

• Surviving in a new and strange culture– Language barrier– Finding work / a place to

live– Ethnic communities formed

as support system (Chinatown, Little Italy)

Ellis & Angel Island

• Ellis Island– Immigration station in New

York Harbor– New immigrants were

processed (medical, agent interview)

– Legal requirements for entry• Not convicted of a felony

• Able to work

• At least $25

• Angel Island– Immigration station in San

Francisco Harbor

Rise of Nativism

• Nativism = Favoring the interests of native born American’s over immigrants

• Chinese Exclusion Act (1892) = Prohibited most Chinese immigration to the United States

• Why resistance to immigration?– Racism– Religious intolerance– Competition for jobs

(Immigrants worked cheaper)