The Great Migration

Went hand in hand with economic expansion

Main cause of Western expansion

Particularly U.S.

Powerful and far

The Pressure of Population

European population began its 3rd and most important growth in the early 18th century

By1900: 188 mil 432 mil

Birth and death rates declining

Medical revolution contributed as well

1815-1932: 60 mil Europeans emigrated to: New Zealand, North South America, Australia, Siberia

The Pressure Of Population

Europeans and people of European descent increased from 22% of world population 38% before WWI

Sudden population rise stressed the land and increased over population

Europe experienced small “baby boom” that caused for a large migration 20 years later Young adults realized decrease in land and job

opportunity More exaggerated when population increase came

before an increase in industrial expansion

Approx. 11 mil people emigrated from Europe in the decade before WWI

5x more than the amount in 1850s

Different countries had different rates and patterns of migration

Mainly emigrated from Britain(1840-1920)

1/3 of Europeans emigrated from Britain and Ireland

Germany had peak of migration in the 1850s and 1880s

but ultimately stopped by the 1890s because of rapid industrialization

In contrast, Italians constantly left their country until the beginning of 1914

U.S. received largest amount of European immigrants, but still more than 50% went to Australia, Brazil, Argentina, New Zealand, Canada, and Asiatic Russia

Migration to other countries were more influential to population than in U.S.

European Migrants

Often a small peasant landowner/ village craftsman whose traditional way of life was threatened by:Too little landEstate agricultureCheap and factory-made goods

Selling out to buy cheaper land in Midwest became common

European migrant farmers/ skilled artisans were trying to stay ahead of poverty

Migrants were a great asset to countries

Came ready to work

Many Europeans remained in Europe

Many immigrants were truly migrants returned home

½ within Argentina, 1/3 U.S.

Repatriation varied greatly by nationalityPossibility of buying land in old country was of

central importance Ireland:

land was held by large, often absentee landowners

Little land was available for purchase Russia:

Most land was held by non-Jews Russian-Jewish artists escaped factory

competition on oppression, they were gone for good

Non-Jewish migrants from Russia returned more frequently

As late as 1880s, ¾ of Italians depended on agricultureWith influx of cheap N American wheat,

standards of living fell○ Between 1831-1860, approx. 2 mil Irish

immigrated to U.S. ○ Before 1900, more went to Argentina○ Brazilian coffee makers attracted Italians to

plantationsMany had no intention of settling

permanently: Swallows Ties of friendship and family often

determined where people would settle Many migrated because they resented

power of privileged classes

Asian Migration

Many Asians became exploited laborers

3 mil Asians moved abroad before 1920

1840s: strong demand in Cuba and Spanish gov’t actively recruited Asian laborers

130,000 Cuba

100,000 Peru

Migration led to racist reactions

Whites only laws in the W

Great White Walls accounted for W dominance

By 1913, Australia, Canada, and U.S. all had higher average income than Great Britain

GB still Europe's wealthiest Nation

Coming To America: Ellis Island

From 1892-1954 immigrants coming to America were required to come through the immigration station on Ellis Island

When immigrants arrived at Ellis Island they went through several areas of the main building on Ellis Island including the baggage room, great hall, and medical examination room

www.ellisisland.org/phtotalbums/ellis_island_then.asp

Coming To America: Ellis Island

“We went from Athens by boat to the Italian Coast, and [there] they put us on [another boat] in the freight, in the hold. And we were lucky for that. We made it. It was like a barn down there. They only had cots. “You ought to be happy you’re getting out alive,” someone said.

-James Karavolas

Coming To America: Ellis Island

When we got to America, we saw the Statue of Liberty, and Mother said to me, “That means we are free.” I remember her saying that. And I didn’t know what she meant by being “free”. I only learned that after and to this day I think I am a better American than a lot of them born here, because when I sing ‘God Bless America’ I’m in tears”

-Margaret Wertle

Bibliography

"Welcome to Immigration." Web. 04 Mar. 2012. <http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/tour/>.

Peacock, Louise, and Walter Krudop. At Ellis Island: A History in Many Voices. New York: Atheneum for Young Readers, 2007

Namias, June. First Generation: In The words of 20th Century American Immigrants.Toronto, Canada: Fitzhenry and Whiteside Limited, 1978. pg. 19, 43.

Reeves, Pamela. Ellis Island: Gateway to the American Dream. New York: Fall River Press, 2000.