IMMIGRANTS AND URBANIZATION

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The New Immigrants
Promise of a Better Life
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The New Immigrants

• Millions of immigrants entered the U.S. in the
  late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some came to
  escape difficult times, others known as birds of
  passage intended to stay only temporarily to
  earn money and then return to their homeland.

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Europeans

• Between 1870 and 1920, about 20 million Europeans
  arrived in the United States. Before 1890, most
  were from western northern Europe. After 1890,
  most came from southern eastern Europe. All
  were looking for opportunity

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Chinese

• Between 1851 and 1882, about 300,000 Chinese
  arrived on the West Coast. Some were attracted by
  the Gold Rush, others went to work for the
  railroads, farmed, or worked as domestic
  servants. An anti-Chinese immigration act passed
  by Congress curtailed immigration after 1882.

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Japanese

• In 1884, the Japanese government allowed Hawaiian
  planters to recruit Japanese workers. The U.S.
  annexation of Hawaii in 1898 increased Japanese
  immigration to the west coast. By 1920, more than
  200,000 Japanese lived on the west coast

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The West Indies and Mexico

• Between 1880 and 1920, about 260,000 immigrants
  arrived in the United States from the West Indies
  (Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other islands).
  Mexicans, too, came to the U.S. to find work and
  flee political turmoil 700,000 Mexicans arrived
  in the early 20th century.

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Arriving in the New Land

• In the late 19th century most immigrants arrived
  by boat. The trip from Europe took about a
  month, while it took about three weeks from
  Asia. The trip was arduous and many died along
  the way. Destination was Ellis Island for
  Europeans, and Angel Island for Asians.

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Ellis Island, New York

• From 1892-1924, 17 million European immigrants
  passed through Ellis Islands facilities.
  Processing took hours, and the sick were sent
  home. Immigrants had to show that they were not
  criminals, had some money (25), and were able to
  work.

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Ellis Island
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Angel Island, San Francisco

• Asians, primarily Chinese, arriving on the West
  Coast gained admission at Angel Island in the San
  Francisco Bay. Processing was much harsher than
  Ellis Island as immigrants withstood tough
  questioning and long detentions in filthy
  conditions.

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Ethnic Neighborhoods

• When immigrants arrived, they were greeted with
  hostility by some native-born Americans. To
  preserve their culture and survive in the new
  land, the newcomers built ethnic neighborhoods
  (Little Italies, Little Polands, Germantowns,
  Chinatowns). Some came to think of

themselves as hyphenated Americans.
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MULBERRY ST
NYC, 1900
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Immigrant Restrictions

• As immigration increased, so did anti-immigrant
  feelings. Nativism (favoritism toward native-born
  Americans) led to anti-immigrant organizations
  and restrictions against immigration. In 1882,
  Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act which
  limited Chinese immigration until 1943.

Anti-Asian feelings included restaurant boycotts