Immigration in the United States of America
Ethnicity and Nationality
Eastern and Southern Europeans 1890s
Italians, Greeks,
Russians, Polish
Why America? Why migration?Economic, Political, Religious, Military
“Crowds everywhere, ill smelling bunks, uninviting washrooms…the odors of scattered orange peelings, tobacco, garlic and disinfectants meeting but not blending…” -Clergyman who posed as in immigrant to write book on immigration conditions
Ellis and Angel Island
1 out of every 5 immigrants marked
Assimilation
English language
Marketable skills or $$$
Members of own ethnic group
Asian Immigration
China: Mid 1800s – Severe unemployment– Poverty– Gold rush– Demand for railroad workers
Japan: 1900-1910– Industrial economy and empire– Disrupt economy and time honored traditions
Nativism