Unit 8

Immigration

Ms. Rybak – US History

Essential Questions• By the end of this unit you will be able to

answer the following questions:– What are the significant differences between

the periods of “Old Migration” and “New Migration” in America?

– What is the main difference in the geographic origin of earlier immigrants and the more recent immigrants to the US?

– Why might the term “salad bowl” be a more accurate metaphor than “melting pot” to describe the relationship between various ethic groups in America today?

Timeline - Immigration

• From approximately 1700-1800 label “old migration”

• From approximately 1850-1925 label “new migration”

• From 1925-end of timeline label as NOA period

• At 1892 (estimate) label the opening of Ellis Island Immigration center

Different Periods of Immigration

• “Old” Immigration (Colonial Period)– Dominated by the English– Other “English” speaking people; Scotch and

Irish– Western and Northern Europeans: Dutch,

Scandinavians, Germans– Africans (as forced labor – early slavery)

Different Periods of Immigration

• “Old” Immigration– Most came for religious or political freedom

– Some came to improve their economic situation

– Opportunities for new land

Different Periods of Immigration

• “Old” Immigration– These people became the US

– They generally worked together and supported one another as newcomers in a new land

– They often had common enough cultural traditions to reduce significant conflicts from occurring

Different Periods of Immigration

• “New Immigration” (Late 1800-Early 1900)– More from Eastern and Southern Europe– Asians from Japan and China

Different Periods of Immigration

• “New” Immigration– Better economic opportunities in the industrial

centers of America (because of industrialization)

– Religious Freedom (especially Russian Jews)– Some for political freedoms

Different Periods of Immigration

• “New” Immigration– A significant increase in anti-immigrant

feelings or “Nativism”– The first considered themselves to be the true

or “native” Americans and resented new immigrants

– Significant cultural differences often created prejudice (Italians vs. Irish)

– Many feared the erosion of their original “American” way of life

Different Periods of Immigration

• NOA Period (1925-1965)– Mostly Europeans from England, Italy,

Germany

– Reasons: World War II

Different Periods of Immigration

• Recent Immigration– Latin Americans (Mexicans crossing illegally

over the border, etc.)– Caribbean Islands (Cuba, Haiti, Dominican

Republic)– Asian (China, Philippines, Vietnam, South

Korea, India, Pakistan

Terms - Immigration

• Old Immigration: First wave of Europeans coming to the Americas (1700’s). Usually came from Northern and Western parts of Europe. Usually came with money. Came for a more independent life.

• New Immigration: The second wave of Europeans coming to the United States (1800’s). Usually from Eastern or Southern Europe. Usually came poor – looking for opportunities.

Terms

• Nativists: Americans that rejected the new immigrants coming to America. They considered themselves the “true” Americans and did not like the new wave of “foreigners” and their different cultures.

• Know Nothing Party: Also called the American Party, they opposed new immigrants in America. They feared the loss of jobs, and as mostly Protestants, they feared a Catholic influence and possible control of America by the Pope – and the loss of religious and political freedoms.

Terms

• The Yellow Peril: A term used to describe the influx of Asian, especially Chinese, immigrants to the US. Also called the “yellow terror.”

• Ellis Island: Island in New York Harbor where immigrants first arrived and registered.

Terms

• The Melting Pot: A metaphor to describe the old belief that immigrants blended easily into the American culture – that the various cultures mixed to make a new cultural identity.

• The Salad Bowl: A more accepted metaphor that describes how various cultural groups coexist in America, living together but retaining their original cultural identity.

Terms

• Cultural Pluralism: A term that is in line with the “salad bowl” metaphor above. The idea that various cultural groups can exist within one larger cultural identity.

• Refugee: A person who flees one nation for another in search of a more peaceful situation.

Terms

• Assimilation: The process of blending in to the dominant society – in this case the process of becoming “Americanized.” Immigrants chose, or were sometimes forced, to learn English, accept new foods, and adapt to other cultural differences.

• Naturalization: The formal process to become an American citizen.

Essential Questions

– What are the significant differences between the periods of “Old Migration” and “New Migration” in America?

– What is the main difference in the geographic origin of earlier immigrants and the more recent immigrants to the US?

– Why might the term “salad bowl” be a more accurate metaphor than “melting pot” to describe the relationship between various ethic groups in America today?