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The Great Migration
Went hand in hand with economic expansion
Main cause of Western expansion
Particularly U.S.
Powerful and far
The Pressure of Population
European population began its 3rd and most important growth in the early 18th century
By1900: 188 mil 432 mil
Birth and death rates declining
Medical revolution contributed as well
1815-1932: 60 mil Europeans emigrated to: New Zealand, North South America, Australia, Siberia
The Pressure Of Population
Europeans and people of European descent increased from 22% of world population 38% before WWI
Sudden population rise stressed the land and increased over population
Europe experienced small “baby boom” that caused for a large migration 20 years later Young adults realized decrease in land and job
opportunity More exaggerated when population increase came
before an increase in industrial expansion
Approx. 11 mil people emigrated from Europe in the decade before WWI
5x more than the amount in 1850s
Different countries had different rates and patterns of migration
Mainly emigrated from Britain(1840-1920)
1/3 of Europeans emigrated from Britain and Ireland
Germany had peak of migration in the 1850s and 1880s
but ultimately stopped by the 1890s because of rapid industrialization
In contrast, Italians constantly left their country until the beginning of 1914
U.S. received largest amount of European immigrants, but still more than 50% went to Australia, Brazil, Argentina, New Zealand, Canada, and Asiatic Russia
Migration to other countries were more influential to population than in U.S.
European Migrants
Often a small peasant landowner/ village craftsman whose traditional way of life was threatened by:Too little landEstate agricultureCheap and factory-made goods
Selling out to buy cheaper land in Midwest became common
European migrant farmers/ skilled artisans were trying to stay ahead of poverty
Migrants were a great asset to countries
Came ready to work
Many Europeans remained in Europe
Many immigrants were truly migrants returned home
½ within Argentina, 1/3 U.S.
Repatriation varied greatly by nationalityPossibility of buying land in old country was of
central importance Ireland:
land was held by large, often absentee landowners
Little land was available for purchase Russia:
Most land was held by non-Jews Russian-Jewish artists escaped factory
competition on oppression, they were gone for good
Non-Jewish migrants from Russia returned more frequently
As late as 1880s, ¾ of Italians depended on agricultureWith influx of cheap N American wheat,
standards of living fell○ Between 1831-1860, approx. 2 mil Irish
immigrated to U.S. ○ Before 1900, more went to Argentina○ Brazilian coffee makers attracted Italians to
plantationsMany had no intention of settling
permanently: Swallows Ties of friendship and family often
determined where people would settle Many migrated because they resented
power of privileged classes
Asian Migration
Many Asians became exploited laborers
3 mil Asians moved abroad before 1920
1840s: strong demand in Cuba and Spanish gov’t actively recruited Asian laborers
130,000 Cuba
100,000 Peru
Migration led to racist reactions
Whites only laws in the W
Great White Walls accounted for W dominance
By 1913, Australia, Canada, and U.S. all had higher average income than Great Britain
GB still Europe's wealthiest Nation
Coming To America: Ellis Island
From 1892-1954 immigrants coming to America were required to come through the immigration station on Ellis Island
When immigrants arrived at Ellis Island they went through several areas of the main building on Ellis Island including the baggage room, great hall, and medical examination room
www.ellisisland.org/phtotalbums/ellis_island_then.asp
Coming To America: Ellis Island
“We went from Athens by boat to the Italian Coast, and [there] they put us on [another boat] in the freight, in the hold. And we were lucky for that. We made it. It was like a barn down there. They only had cots. “You ought to be happy you’re getting out alive,” someone said.
-James Karavolas
Coming To America: Ellis Island
When we got to America, we saw the Statue of Liberty, and Mother said to me, “That means we are free.” I remember her saying that. And I didn’t know what she meant by being “free”. I only learned that after and to this day I think I am a better American than a lot of them born here, because when I sing ‘God Bless America’ I’m in tears”
-Margaret Wertle
Bibliography
"Welcome to Immigration." Web. 04 Mar. 2012. <http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/tour/>.
Peacock, Louise, and Walter Krudop. At Ellis Island: A History in Many Voices. New York: Atheneum for Young Readers, 2007
Namias, June. First Generation: In The words of 20th Century American Immigrants.Toronto, Canada: Fitzhenry and Whiteside Limited, 1978. pg. 19, 43.
Reeves, Pamela. Ellis Island: Gateway to the American Dream. New York: Fall River Press, 2000.