E Pluribus Unum (one from many)

United States History

Immigration: History and

Issues

The Great American Meltin’ Pot

America was founded by the EnglishBut also by the Germans, Duch, and French,

The principal still sticksOur heritage is mixed

So any kid could be the president

You simply melt right in, It doesn't matter what your skin.

It doesn't matter where you're from,Or your religion, You jump right in To the great American meltin' pot.

Great American meltin' pot

Schoolhouse Rock -- Clip.url

European traditions and beliefs

Most immigrants before 1890: Protestants from Northern Europe

U.S. culture at that time reflected the traditions and beliefs of northern Europe.

Immigrants from Europe

Old New New New

Legitimate versus imposters

Conflicts between old and new immigrant groups common.

Earlier groups considered themselves to be legitimate U.S. citizens.

Established groups viewed new immigrants imposters or trespassers.

What does this political cartoon say?

Nativist Movement: 1830 – 1840’s

Antiforeign groups

Believed new immigrants subvert democratic values.

Catholics feared to owe allegiance to the Pope

Legislation restricting immigration 1860 and 1890 population doubled (30

million to 60) million. 1880s immigrants from southern and

eastern European countries. Legislation restricting immigration: first

time in 1882 – Chinese Exclusion Act.

Ellis Island Built in 1892 as the first

Federal Immigration Center Federal government

begins to regulate immigration in 1890

Previously immigration was a state-based policy

Closed in 1940s The Statue of Liberty

Enlightening the World - gift of friendship from people of France to the people of US universal symbol of

freedom and democracy The statue was dedicated

on October 28, 1886.

Angel Island Established in 1910 to

process immigration from Asia Off the coast of San

Francisco By 1940 1 million

immigrants passed through

Many were detained for long periods of time

Immigration Act of 1924 discouraged immigration from Asian countries

The Americanization of Immigrants

Education primary means to Americanize and assimilate new immigrants. What is the impact

on the family when a child begins to identify with a culture the parent does not share?

Can culture/values be taught? How? Whose?

Excluded from the

melting pot “Melting Pot”: immigrants

assimilated into culture through education and acculturation.

Does not correspond with reality of U.S. experience.

Many immigrant groups maintained their ethnic identity.

Melting pot did not take into account immigrants and ethnic groups who did not easily blend into the culture.

Asians, African Americans, Native Americans, and others were excluded from this process of fusion and amalgamation.

E Pluribus Unum: One from many

Many cultures coming together to create single culture

Cultural Pluralism

Immigrants preserve best of old-world cultures

Gradually assuming U.S. customs, beliefs. Ethnic minorities encouraged to preserve

own traditions While taking active part in economic and

social life of the United States. Strength as a nation derives in large part

from the diversity of its ethnic cultures.

Pluralism embraces all people

Regardless of backgrounds, beliefs.

WASP remains only one of many groups within the culture.

Traditional mainstream assumptions

Monoculturalism Argues diverse ethnic, racial

groups need become like traditional mainstream culture

Liberal multiculturalism •Individuals from diverse groups share natural equality and common humanity•Toward a universal equality made up almost exclusively of Western and white middle-class assumptions

Pluralist multiculturalism

Most widely accepted model of multiculturalism.

Emphasizes difference

between various ethnic and cultural groups rather than focusing on sameness.

Critical multiculturalism

Recognizes humans as social beings

Shaped by range of economic, political, cultural forces.

Understanding power and power relationships is essential in this model.

American Salad Bowl

Ethnicity

Extraordinarily complex phenomena.

Sense of peoplehood developed through language, traditions.

Most immigrants have learn a new language As a national language, English is a powerful force in their assimilation. Bilingualism: controversial, emotional issue. Federal support for bilingual education began in 1968 with Title VII, the Bilingual Education Act, amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965.

Bilingualism and U.S. Education

Reflection questions:1. What are the advantages of the diversity (gender, age, ethnicity, sexual

orientation, occupation, religion or denomination, political affiliation) in the United States?

2. What are some of the serious problems that arise from this country being a multicultural society?

3. How important is it for the schools to Americanize immigrant children?

4. What are some of the problems that can occur when the schools take on this task?

5. Should quotas be set on the number of people allowed to immigrate to the United States?

6. If yes, how should the quotas be determined?

7. Is bilingual education something that should be supported by the schools and the culture in general?