U.S. History I Chapter 15 Immigrants

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U.S. History IChapter 15 Immigrants
Urbanization Section 1- The New Immigrants
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• European Immigrant Arrivals
• 1870-1890 approximately 20 million arrive on East
  Coast.
• Prior 1890- from Great Britain, Ireland
  Germany.
• After 1890s- from Italy, Austria-Hungary
  Russia.
• Reasons they came
• Escape religious persecution
• Lack of farmland due to population growth
• 1840s- reform/revolt in Europe.

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• Asian Immigrants
• Smaller numbers of Chinese Japanese arrive on
  West Coast.
• Chinese came during Gold Rush. Built Railroads.
  Farming, mining domestic service.
• Chinese immigration limited in 1882 by
  Congressional act.
• 1884- Japanese government allowed Hawaiian
  planters recruit Japanese workers. Emigration
  boom.
• 1898- U.S. annexed Hawaii. Japanese immigration
  to West Coast increases.

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• Immigrants from West Indies Mexico
• 1880-1920, West Indies immigrants arrive in
  eastern southeastern U.S. From Jamaica, Cuba
  Puerto Rico. Few jobs- why came to U.S.
• Mexican population increased. Became citizens
  when Texas annexed in 1845 Treaty of Mexico in
  1848 signed.
• Some Mexicans came to find work or escape
  political turmoil. Jobs created in Texas, Arizona
  California- 1902 Reclamation Act (Newlands
  Act)- irrigate arid land (new farm land).

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• Hardships/Trials of Immigrants
• Difficult ocean voyages- disease/died prior to
  arrival.
• Loneliness, homesick anxiety on being admitted
  to U.S.
• Europeans had to pass inspection for admittance
  through Ellis Island. Physical proper
  documents. Literacy test in native language, be
  able to work had at least 25.
• 1892-1943- Ellis Island chief immigration station
  in U.S.
• 1905-1907 peak immigration years- 11,000
  immigrants daily at Ellis Island.

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• Hardships/Trials of Immigrants cont
• Angel Island Asian, primarily Chinese, arrive at
  this station on West Coast.
• 1910-1940 50,000 Chinese immigrants entered U.S.
  Confined like prisoners. Some immigrants rioted
  in 1919.
• Culture shock. Money possessions stolen. Place
  to live, job deal with daily life trying to
  understand alien culture customs.
• Coped by seeking people who shared
  cultural/religious values spoke their language.
• Ethnic communities- churches, synagogues, aid
  societies newspapers in own language.

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• Restrictions on Immigrants
• Some Americans thought country a melting pot.
  Not all immigrants blended together. Some
  refused to give up cultural identities.
• Anti-immigrant feelings arise- led to immigration
  restrictions.
• Nativitism emerges- certain immigrants ok, others
  are not,
• 1897- Nativist group, American Protective
  Association- anti Catholic.

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• Restrictions on Immigrants cont
• Colleges/businesses/social clubs refuse Jewish
  people.
• Some Americans believe Anglo-Saxon superior to
  other ethnic groups. Immigration Restriction
  League wanted to keep out undesirable classes
  from southern eastern Europe. Bill passed for
  literacy test. President Cleveland vetoed bill.
• West Coast- Chinese viewed as strange due to hair
  dress. Depression in 1873, more anti-Chinese
  sentiment- jobs scarce. Fear- take jobs at lower
  wages. Labor groups put pressure on government to
  restrict Asian immigration.

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• Restrictions on Immigrants cont
• 1882Congress passed Chinese Exclusion Act.
• 1907-1908- Gentlemens Agreement. Dispute over
  segregation of Japanese in San Francisco schools.
  Anti-American riots in Japan. President Theodore
  Roosevelt intervenes- segregation withdrawn
  Japan limits emigration to U.S.
• U.S. teeming with immigrants face urbanization
  problems.

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