5-3.3 Summarize the significance of large-scale immigration to America, including the countries from which the people came, the opportunities and resistance they faced when they arrived, and the cultural and economic contributions they made to the United States.
Immigrants in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries came mainly from eastern and southern Europe. Prior to the 1890s, most immigrants came from northern and western Europe.
The ‘old’ immigrants were from Anglo Saxon countries such as England, Ireland, and Germany. The ‘new’ immigrants were from Italy, the Slavic states of the Balkan Peninsula, and Russia.
Many of the new immigrants were Catholics or Jews, whereas the old immigrants had been mostly Protestants. Immigration from China was significantly limited by the 1890s because of
United States governmental restrictions that required that new immigrants prove that they had relatives already living in the United States. Immigration from Japan slowed because of an agreement between the United States government and the government of Japan in the early 1900s. Immigrants came to the United States because of both push and pull factors. Often they were pushed out of their home countries because of war, poverty, or discrimination. They were attracted or pulled to the United States because of promises of economic opportunity, religious freedom, and political and social equality
The ‘old’ immigrants were from Anglo Saxon countries such as England, Ireland, and Germany. The ‘new’ immigrants were from Italy, the Slavic states of the Balkan Peninsula, and Russia.
Many of the new immigrants were Catholics or Jews, whereas the old immigrants had been mostly Protestants. Immigration from China was significantly limited by the 1890s because of
United States governmental restrictions that required that new immigrants prove that they had relatives already living in the United States. Immigration from Japan slowed because of an agreement between the United States government and the government of Japan in the early 1900s. Immigrants came to the United States because of both push and pull factors. Often they were pushed out of their home countries because of war, poverty, or discrimination. They were attracted or pulled to the United States because of promises of economic opportunity, religious freedom, and political and social equality
Push and Pull Factors
Immigrants in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries came mainly from eastern and southern Europe. Prior to the 1890s, most immigrants came from northern and western Europe. The ‘old’ immigrants were from Anglo Saxon countries such as England, Ireland, and Germany. The ‘new’ immigrants were from Italy, the Slavic states of the Balkan Peninsula, and Russia. Many of the new immigrants were Catholics or Jews, whereas the old immigrants had been mostly Protestants. Immigration from China was significantly limited by the 1890s because of United States governmental restrictions that required that new immigrants prove that they had relatives already living in the United States. Immigration from Japan slowed because of an agreement between the United States government and the government of Japan in the early 1900s. Immigrants came to the United States because of both push and pull factors. Often they were pushed out of their home countries because of war, poverty, or discrimination. They were attracted or pulled to the United States because of promises of economic opportunity, religious freedom, and political and social equality
Opportunities for Immigrants
Despite this resistance, immigrants continued to find political, social, and economic opportunities in the United States. Immigrants found jobs in American factories and comfort in the ethnic neighborhoods that developed in the cities. Public schools had been established in the early 1800s as a means of assimilating immigrants into American democratic and social values.
These schools provided educational opportunities for those immigrant children who did not have to work to help their families survive. Immigrants had the opportunity to vote and some were elected to political office due to the support of their immigrant communities. Others started their own businesses.
These schools provided educational opportunities for those immigrant children who did not have to work to help their families survive. Immigrants had the opportunity to vote and some were elected to political office due to the support of their immigrant communities. Others started their own businesses.
Immigrant Contributions
In turn, immigrants have made many contributions to the growth and development of the United States. The majority of workers who built the transcontinental railroads were Irish and Chinese immigrants. Some first generation immigrants were entrepreneurs who promoted economic growth such as Andrew Carnegie and Alexander Graham Bell from Scotland.Immigrants were actively recruited by the United States government because they supplied a great part of the labor force that helped to make the United States the world’s largest industrial power by the end of the nineteenth century. Second and third generation immigrants went to school and became doctors, lawyers, and businessmen. Immigrant groups also contributed to the political and cultural life of the nation. Immigrants turned out to vote in large numbers and exercised political influence through the political bosses and political clubs in ethnic neighborhoods. At first diversity provoked resistance from native-born Americans but eventually led to promoting tolerance and a more democratic society. Ethnic neighborhoods provided foods and customs, such as Santa Claus and pizza that gradually became part of the American culture.