Chapter 7 Flashcards
Immigrants entered the United States because it promised a better life. What were some reasons?
Reasons to escape their countries:
- Famine
- Land Shortage
- Religious Persecution
- Political Persecution
- To Earn Money Temporarily, and return to their country
European Immigrants
Between 1870-1890 20 million immigrants from Europe came. In the 1890s, more people came from
the south and east of Europe (Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Russia) Because of religious persecution.
People sought independence. Came to east coast.
Chinese and Japanese
- Smaller numbers of Chinese immigrants arrived through the West Coast.(1851-1883)
- Helped with railroads, farming, domestic service, and businesses
- Japanese immigrants came to help on Hawaiian plantations.
West Indies
-(1880-1920) About 26000 immigrants came to US because jobs were scarce and there was an
industrial boom here. Mexicans came to find work as well. They also wanted to flee political turmoil.
1902 National Reclamation Act encouraged irrigation of arid land in the west that created new
farmland.
A Difficult Journey:
IN the 1870s, all immigrants traveled by steamship. The journey from Europe took approximately 3
weeks. Many immigrants traveled in the cheapest accommodation- the cargo holds. As they were rarely
let out to take a breath of fresh air, the cargo hold was a place filled with disease.
Ellis Island:
Where the Europeans entered the US. They could not come in if they had no money, or had
a disease. There 20% were detained for more then a day, because they had to become inspected. First
there was a health examination, in which the doctors would ‘thoroughly’ check whether the person had
any serious disease. If they passed that examination, then they were barred from entry. Then they had to
go to a government inspection to determine whether they were fit enough to enter the US with
documents, crime, and money (25$).
Angel Island:
Asians primarily arrived through this entrance. These were Chinese. Angel Island was in
San Francisco Bay. There was high racism and thus, the people had to endure harsh questioning in a
detention room.
What happens when they enter the country?
Immigrants had to find a place to live, a job, and understand the unfamiliar language and culture. For
these people, it became practical to socialize within their ethnic community. Also, churches and
synagogues were built. Newspapers were also formed.
What happened between AMericans and immigrants
BUT THERE WAS ALSO FRICTION BETWEEN AMERICANS AND IMMIGRANTS.
The Melting Point:
A mixture of people of different cultures and races who blended together.
Nativism:
Anti Immigrant, or favoritism towards native born americans. These people believed that
Anglo Saxons were the best, and were superior. Roman Catholics and Jewish people would undermine
democratic institutions. There were violent Anti Catholic Attacks, and the Immigrant Restriction
League passed a bill that required a literacy test for immigrants. They had to read 40 words in English
otherwise they would not be allowed to enter. Jobs played a part because they would go to Chinese
immigrants who accepted lower wages. So, there was an anti Chinese movement.
What was the chines exclusion act
IN 1882, Congress
passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned entry to all Chinese except students, teachers,
merchants, tourists, and gov. officials. This act was not repealed until 1943
What was the Gentlemens Agreement
The Chinese Exclusion Act also made hatred towards other Asians go too. The Gentlemans Agreement
agreed to stop segregation of Japanese if the country would limit the amount of workers that they sent
to the United States.
Urbanization
The expansion of cities, mostly in the Northeast and Midwest.
Where did immigrants settle
Most immigrants settled in the cities, because they were the cheapest and most convenient. There were
unskilled labor jobs there.
The Americanization Movement
was designed to assimilate people of wide ranging cultures. This
social campaign was sponsored by the government and concerned citizens. The schools and voluntary
associations, provided programs to help immigrants gain citizenship. Ethnic communities also helped
keep culture in place.
What happened with technology
There were more machines invented during this time (McCormick steel plow) so rural people moved to
the city to find work. African Americans moved north to escape segregation. There was also
competition between the races.
