Immigration to the USA. Aims: Identify the main groups who arrived in the USA between 1870 and 1920. Examine the difference between ‘Old’ and ‘New’

Immigration to Immigration to the USAthe USA

Aims:Aims:

Identify the main groups who arrived Identify the main groups who arrived in the USA between 1870 and 1920.in the USA between 1870 and 1920.

Examine the difference between ‘Old’ Examine the difference between ‘Old’ and ‘New’ immigrants.and ‘New’ immigrants.

Old and NewOld and New

The first wave of immigrants arrived The first wave of immigrants arrived from Britain, Ireland, Germany and from Britain, Ireland, Germany and other northern European countries other northern European countries from the mid 1800s to late 1800s. from the mid 1800s to late 1800s. These were called ‘These were called ‘Old ImmigrantsOld Immigrants’’

The second wave came from countries The second wave came from countries in Southern and Eastern Europe such in Southern and Eastern Europe such as Italy, Poland and Russia and were as Italy, Poland and Russia and were known as ‘known as ‘New ImmigrantsNew Immigrants’’

Old and New ImmigrantsOld and New Immigrants

Growing TensionGrowing Tension

Overall, the population of America was Overall, the population of America was increasing dramatically in the late 1800s increasing dramatically in the late 1800s and early 1900s.and early 1900s.

In 1870 the US population was 40 million In 1870 the US population was 40 million by 1920 this had risen to 106 million.by 1920 this had risen to 106 million.

This increase in population led to This increase in population led to competition for jobs and houses.competition for jobs and houses.

The lack of integration between different The lack of integration between different groups led to tensions between ‘old’ and groups led to tensions between ‘old’ and ‘new’ immigrants.‘new’ immigrants.

Growing TensionsGrowing Tensions

Tasks:Tasks:

Copy down the heading ‘Where the Copy down the heading ‘Where the Immigrants Came From?’.Immigrants Came From?’.

Complete Activities 1-3 on pages 16-Complete Activities 1-3 on pages 16-17.17.

Complete Activities 1-2 on page 18.Complete Activities 1-2 on page 18. Complete Activities 1-2 on page 19.Complete Activities 1-2 on page 19. Extension – Effects of Immigration.Extension – Effects of Immigration.

Activities 1-4 on page 20.Activities 1-4 on page 20.

““The Roaring Twenties”The Roaring Twenties”

America in the 1920s seemed like an America in the 1920s seemed like an exciting and modern country. exciting and modern country.

Skyscrapers were built, radio and Skyscrapers were built, radio and cinema spread new forms of music cinema spread new forms of music and dance to a mass audience. and dance to a mass audience.

It was a period of great social change It was a period of great social change and modernisation.and modernisation.

Times Sure

Do Change

It was also a period of liberation for women who could vote, work and enjoy more freedom

Prohibition: From Prohibition: From January 1920 the sale January 1920 the sale and consumption of and consumption of alcohol was banned alcohol was banned throughout the USA.throughout the USA.

Illegal bars called Illegal bars called speakeasies appeared, speakeasies appeared, alcohol was imported or alcohol was imported or manufactured illegally. manufactured illegally.

St Valentine’s Day St Valentine’s Day MassacreMassacre

It was also a time It was also a time when violent when violent gangsters got away gangsters got away with murder.with murder.

Police and Police and government took government took bribes.bribes.

The most famous The most famous gangster was Al gangster was Al Capone.Capone.

American DreamAmerican Dream

None the less many people were driven by None the less many people were driven by poverty, and persecution to leave their own poverty, and persecution to leave their own countries to go to America in the hope of living countries to go to America in the hope of living “the American Dream”.“the American Dream”.

Immigrants travelled to America in the hope Immigrants travelled to America in the hope they would find a better standard of living, get they would find a better standard of living, get a better job and give a better start in life to a better job and give a better start in life to their children.their children.

No matter what your background was you No matter what your background was you could make a fresh start in America and if you could make a fresh start in America and if you worked hard you would be successful.worked hard you would be successful.

Effects of ImmigrationEffects of Immigration

AimsAims::

Examine the divisions which existed Examine the divisions which existed between the different groups who had between the different groups who had emigrated to the USA.emigrated to the USA.

Old and NewOld and New

The first wave of immigrants arrived The first wave of immigrants arrived from Britain, Ireland, Germany and from Britain, Ireland, Germany and other northern European countries other northern European countries from the mid 1800s to late 1800s. from the mid 1800s to late 1800s. These were called ‘These were called ‘Old ImmigrantsOld Immigrants’’

The second wave came from countries The second wave came from countries in Southern and Eastern Europe such in Southern and Eastern Europe such as Italy, Poland and Russia and were as Italy, Poland and Russia and were known as ‘known as ‘New ImmigrantsNew Immigrants’’

Old and New ImmigrantsOld and New Immigrants

Effects of ImmigrationEffects of Immigration In 1920 the US President Wilson In 1920 the US President Wilson

described the USA as a ‘described the USA as a ‘Melting Melting PotPot’ – different immigrant ’ – different immigrant groups mixed well together and groups mixed well together and became ‘Americans’.became ‘Americans’.

However other people did not However other people did not believed immigrants mixed well believed immigrants mixed well together. They described together. They described America as a ‘America as a ‘Salad BowlSalad Bowl’ – ’ – immigrants became Americans immigrants became Americans but they still tried to keep their but they still tried to keep their old cultures alive.old cultures alive.

Some people were concerned Some people were concerned that this was causing growing that this was causing growing tension between immigrants.tension between immigrants.

The Reality of Life for Migrants

Despite promises that life in America was going to be a huge improvement, many migrants faced many hardships.

JobCompetition

Racial andReligiousTension

HostilityAmong

Immigrants

Overcrowding

SlumHousing

The American

Reality


Complete Activities 1-2 on page 21 of Complete Activities 1-2 on page 21 of your workguide.your workguide.

Write down the heading ‘The Write down the heading ‘The Immigrant Experience’Immigrant Experience’

Complete Activities 1-2 on page 22.Complete Activities 1-2 on page 22.

Immigrant TensionsImmigrant Tensions

AimsAims::

Understand the meaning of the Understand the meaning of the ‘WASP’ hierarchy.‘WASP’ hierarchy.

Examine the problems faced by new Examine the problems faced by new immigrants living in the USA.immigrants living in the USA.


Old ImmigrantsOld Immigrants

Lived in the USA for Lived in the USA for several generations.several generations.

From countries such as From countries such as Britain, Germany, Britain, Germany, Ireland.Ireland.

Saw themselves as the Saw themselves as the ‘Founders of America’.‘Founders of America’.

English speakingEnglish speaking Mainly rich and wealthyMainly rich and wealthy Also known as WASPsAlso known as WASPs

New ImmigrantsNew Immigrants

Spoke little EnglishSpoke little English Stayed with relatives or Stayed with relatives or

friends from their ‘old’ friends from their ‘old’ countrycountry

From countries such as From countries such as Italy, Poland, Russia.Italy, Poland, Russia.

Rarely mixed with other Rarely mixed with other groupsgroups

WASPsWASPs

WWhite hite AAnglo nglo SSaxon axon PProtestantrotestant

• Old immigrants were usually WASPs.Old immigrants were usually WASPs.• They were some of the most successful They were some of the most successful

people in America.people in America.• They thought they were better than They thought they were better than

everyone else.everyone else.• This contributed to the ignorance and This contributed to the ignorance and

prejudice between groups.prejudice between groups.

Source A is from a letter to the Boston News in 1910.

We created this nation by our sweat and blood. We made this country a Protestant nation. We came from countries in Europe that shared an Anglo Saxon tradition of hard work. Now we must suffer the arrival of the dirty, unwashed crowds from lazier countries. People with brown skins and yellow skins arrive daily. Catholics and Jews spread their superstitious beliefs in this Protestant country. Power in America should be in the hands of the ‘WASP’ people who made it great.

The WASP Hierarchy

WASPS

‘New’ Immigrants

Catholics and Jews

Mexicans

Orientals

Blacks

WASPsWASPs

Copy down the diagram of the ‘WASP’ Copy down the diagram of the ‘WASP’ hierarchy.hierarchy.


Copy down the heading ‘Different Copy down the heading ‘Different Ethnic Groups’. Ethnic Groups’.



MexicansMexicans Moved North from Mexico to escape Moved North from Mexico to escape

poverty and war.poverty and war. Many were Catholic and had a coloured Many were Catholic and had a coloured

skin.skin.

OrientalsOrientals Came from Asian countries e.g. China, Came from Asian countries e.g. China,

Japan.Japan. Many found work building the railways.Many found work building the railways. They were regarded as ‘yellow’ peopleThey were regarded as ‘yellow’ people..


Red IndiansRed Indians Original inhabitants of the USA. Now called Native Original inhabitants of the USA. Now called Native

Americans.Americans. By the 1900s they had been defeated in wars with By the 1900s they had been defeated in wars with

the US Government.the US Government. Allocated land known as reservation.Allocated land known as reservation.

BlacksBlacks At the bottom of society. Until the middle of the At the bottom of society. Until the middle of the

1850s most had been slaves.1850s most had been slaves. Largest minority group - mainly concentrated in Largest minority group - mainly concentrated in

Southern states.Southern states. Discriminated in schools, workplace and legally.Discriminated in schools, workplace and legally.

Slums and ImmigrantsSlums and Immigrants

Many immigrants crowded into Many immigrants crowded into the growing cities.the growing cities.

New York was the city most New York was the city most immigrants poured into after immigrants poured into after coming into the USA at Ellis coming into the USA at Ellis Island.Island.

Slums quickly developed in Slums quickly developed in overcrowded cities.overcrowded cities.

People lived in terrible People lived in terrible conditions where disease conditions where disease spread easily and crime rates spread easily and crime rates for high.for high.

Many new immigrants settled Many new immigrants settled next to family or friends from next to family or friends from their old countries – areas such their old countries – areas such as ‘Little Italy’.as ‘Little Italy’.

ActivitiesActivities

Read pages 27-28 from your Read pages 27-28 from your workguide.workguide.

Complete questions 1-5 from Complete questions 1-5 from pages 28-29.pages 28-29.

Documents

Immigration to the USA. Aims: Identify the main groups who arrived in the USA between 1870 and 1920. Examine the difference between ‘Old’ and ‘New’