post reconstruction america. westward movement era of american cowboy

Post Reconstruction Post Reconstruction AmericaAmerica

Westward MovementWestward Movement

Era of American CowboyEra of American Cowboy

Reasons for Westward Reasons for Westward MovementMovement

• Economic Opportunities in west

• Homestead Act–Free land out

west to anyone willing to farm the land

Reasons for Westward Reasons for Westward MovementMovement

• Southerners needed a new start after Civil War

• African-Americans moved out west to use their agricultural skills

Reasons for Westward Reasons for Westward MovementMovement

• Completion of Transcontinental Railroad made travel out west easier

ImmigrationImmigration

Old Immigrants (Pre-1871)Old Immigrants (Pre-1871)• Immigrated from

northern and western Europe

• Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden

New Immigrants (Post-New Immigrants (Post-1871)1871)

• Immigrated from southern and eastern Europe

• Italy, Greece, Poland, Russia, and present-day Hungary and Yugoslavia

• As well as Asia (China and Japan).

Reasons for ImmigrationReasons for Immigration

• Seeking freedom

• Better lives

• Escaping persecution

• JOBS!!!!

Ellis IslandEllis Island

• Processing center in New York for new immigrants from Europe

Ellis IslandEllis Island

• Statue of Liberty first sign of freedom and America as ships entered country

Angel Island Angel Island

• Processing center in California for immigrants entering from Asia

Contributions of Contributions of ImmigrantsImmigrants

ChineseChinese• Worked on

railroads

Irish (Ireland)Irish (Ireland)

• Worked on railroads

• Also worked in textile and steel mills

Italians/Slavs (Yugoslavia)Italians/Slavs (Yugoslavia)

• Worked in Coalmines

Poles (Poland)Poles (Poland)

• Worked in Coalmines

• Worked in Clothing Industry in New York

Problems facing Problems facing ImmigrantsImmigrants

AssimilationAssimilation

• Immigrants had trouble becoming a part of American culture–Did not speak English–Uneducated

• Public schools helped immigrants

Ethnic NeighborhoodsEthnic Neighborhoods

• City neighborhoods consisting of immigrants from the same culture

• Allowed immigrants to slowly learn American culture while keeping their own

Problems with Problems with ImmigrantsImmigrants

• Immigrants worked for less taking jobs from Americans

• Americans were scared of new religions and cultures

• Americans didn’t trust immigrants

Limits on Limits on ImmigrationImmigration

Chinese Exclusion Act of Chinese Exclusion Act of 18821882

• Put a limit on number of Chinese immigrants

Immigration Restriction Act Immigration Restriction Act of 1921of 1921

• Ended all immigration from Europe

• Although immigration dramatically slowed after these acts, immigrants continued to provide valuable contributions to American life