Immigration

Immigration and U.S. HistoryHow have immigrants influenced the United States, and what contributions have they made to the United States?

Who is Legal and Who is Illegal? The number of immigrants to America in 1830 was about 25,000. In 1855, the number was closer to 450,000; they came from all parts of the world.

Mid Nineteenth Century Immigration

• These new immigrants tended to stay with their fellow immigrants-the language, food, and culture were more familiar and they usually stayed in cities.

Mid Nineteenth Century Immigration

• These new immigrants tended to stay with their fellow immigrants-the language, food, and culture were more familiar and they usually stayed in cities.

• Why would the new immigrants stay in the cities?

Mid Nineteenth Century Immigration

• These new immigrants tended to stay with their fellow immigrants-the language, food, and culture were more familiar and they usually stayed in cities.

• Why would the new immigrants stay in the cities?

• Between 1840 and 1860 70% of all immigrants were from just two areas in Europe: Ireland and the German states.

Irish ImmigrationThe Irish came because of the push-pull factor-stay in Ireland and starve or come to America and try to survive.

Irish Immigration II

• In Ireland a fungus wiped out Irelands potato crop in 1845 which lead to a widespread famine. Most of these Irish immigrants settled in New York City or Boston.

Irish Immigration II

• In Ireland a fungus wiped out Irelands potato crop in 1845 which lead to a widespread famine. Most of these Irish immigrants settled in New York City or Boston.

• Why would these new immigrants settle in cities? Do current immigrants also choose to settle in cities? Why?

Irish Immigration II

• In Ireland a fungus wiped out Irelands potato crop in 1845 which lead to a widespread famine. Most of these Irish immigrants settled in New York City or Boston.

• Why would these new immigrants settle in cities? Do current immigrants also choose to settle in cities? Why?

• The rise in immigration increased anti-immigrant feelings, especially in areas where the newcomers were competing with people born in America for jobs.

Example of DiscriminationExamples of discrimination included signs like the one above. Does this sound or look familiar?

Know-Nothing PartyThis increase in immigration led to, in 1849 the rise of an organization called the Nativists-better known as the Know-Nothing Party, because members supposedly replied, “I know nothing” when asked by outsiders what was going on at their meetings.

Know-Nothings II

• The Know-Nothings demanded an end to immigration, a prohibition on non-natives voting or holding offices, and restrictions on Roman Catholics.

Know-Nothings II

• The Know-Nothings demanded an end to immigration, a prohibition on non-natives voting or holding offices, and restrictions on Roman Catholics.

• Does this sound familiar? What are current examples?

Know-Nothings III

• After 1856, the Know-Nothings died out-their nativist fears were redirected into broader Republican programs. The Know-Nothings represented a powerful current in American politics that would return each time social and economic changes seemed to threaten the nation. It became convenient to label certain people “un-American” and seek to root them out. Thus, the Know-Nothing party disappeared after 1856, but nativism did not. (Can anyone think of current examples of nativism?)