Immigration in the 19th Century

Why it matters?

• Immigrants came in great numbers from Europe and Asia between 1870 and 1910,

• Provided cheap labor and made rapid industrialization possible

• Led to growth of cities, contributed to urban politics, and labor unions

• Reactions to, and support for immigrants led to changes in American culture and institutions.

The Impact Today

• US continues to be a magnet for immigrants seeking a better way of life

• The cities of the US continue to draw new residents in search of opportunity

Personal Question

• Do you have any ancestors that you know of that were immigrants???

• Where were they from?

• Why did they come?

Ch 10, Section 1

The shift in the demographics of immigrants

Before 1870, immigrants were mostly from Western and Northern Europe

What countries would this include?

After 1870, immigrants came from Southern and Eastern Europe

What nations might this include?

Why did they come?

• “Push” Factors– What factors “pushed” immigrants away from

their homelands?

• “Pull Factors– What factors “pulled” immigrants to a new life

in the United States?

The Journey Over and Arrival

• Many immigrants had little money; everything was spent on the trip

• Many traveled in steerage (with the ship’s machinery) – very poor conditions

• Most European immigrants arrived at Ellis Island, where they were given health inspections and documented.– What would happen if your health was bad?

Lives of Immigrants

• The rise of Ethnic neighborhoods– Why would immigrants settle in ethnic

neighborhoods?

• Conditions in the neighborhoods– What was it like to live here?

• Jacob Riis was a famous journalist who documented life in these neighborhoods; He wrote “How the Other Half Lives”

Asian Immigration

• By mid-1800s, Chinese immigrants began to arrive– What section of the country would see the

greatest growth of Asian population?– Why did so many Chinese immigrants begin

to come when they did? – Push or Pull? Both?

Asian Continued

• Also included Japanese immigration– Why?– Push or pull? Both?

• Asian immigrants arrived at Angel Island– Who was the typical immigrant?– What was conditions like for them?

Resurgence of Nativism

• Nativism Defined– What is nativism?– Why did many unions oppose immigrants

• American Protective Association– Who did they specifically dislike?– Who led them?

• Workingman’s Party of California– Who did they specifically dislike?– What immigrant group made up this organization?

Immigration Reform

• New Federal Laws began to restrict immigration– Before it was unrestricted…

• Chinese Exclusion Act– What did this law do? Two things!– How did Chinese immigrants already here

react?– What effect did this have on the American

Chinese population by 1900?