Questions:
1. Compare and contrast the new immigrants to the old immigrants.
Old immigrants came to the US from southern and eastern Europe. They came most of
the time wealthy, and educated, while new immigrants came from northern and western
Europe and were normally poor and unskilled.
2. What were the benefits of immigrants settling in ethnic communities? What were
some of the disadvantages of this?
The advantages would be they have a common language and culture making it feel like
they belong, this was good in the short term but not long term. The disadvantage was it
was hard for them to adapt in the long run.
3. Describe at least three pieces of evidence that demonstrate the growth of
nativism in the United States as the number of immigrants grew.
Until the 1920s german Americans were discriminated against mainly because of their
different social structure in Germany. The Bennett Law was passed in Wisconsin which
almost shut down german schools because the governor did not like them. Another
culture was the Chinese. They targeted violence towards the Chinese people, which
drove them out of towns, this led to a mass movement to san Francisco. The Chinese
exclusion act of 1882 limited the flow of Chinese people to the US. another form of
nativism was “negros” and even though they were not usually immigrants to say but
made laws such as the jim crow laws. These prevented them from doing things normally
and made it hard for them at the time.
4. Discuss at least three problems plaguing the fast-growing cities in America.
Diary Entries
Entry I:
Pretend that you are an immigrant who is arriving at Ellis Island. Compose a diary entry
that describes your experience. Make sure to address the following topics:
(1) the passage, (2) the arrival (3) the medical exam, and (4) the kissing post.
Hello diary, this is my first day or freedom to say. A few weeks ago some of my family
friends were talking about leaving for America! To start a new life and to have a better
one. I mentioned it to my family and we ended up sneaking aboard a ship that was
heading to New York. It’s this big city on the Atlantic ocean. I am writing this on this ship
in the cargo hold, I met this other boy and his family who also snuck aboard the ship.
Things are rough, we are running low on food and are trying to find some in this cargo
hold. Luckily my friend who had a ticket came don here and brought us some.
I am here! I wrote up last night to a whistle as the passengers could see the statue of
liberty. We waited until the morning to get off to make sure it was safe. The skyscrapers
were so majestic as they almost reached the clouds. All the noises of trains, cars, and
boats. Ellis island is where I’m at now, trying to become a citizen along with my family.
We are all about to take an exam by these doctors.
The exam went well for me and my family past and now I and my mom wait with my
little sister as my dad finishes up… things are taking long and I’m trying not to get
worried.
Now I know why it is called the kissing post… my mom was so excited to see my dad as
I was too. Now we are trying to find a house and my dad is getting a job! Until next time!
Entry 2:
Pretend that you are an immigrant who has recently arrived in America in the late
1800s. You have been in the U.S. for one month. Compose a diary entry discussing
why you came to America. Talk about both the “Push” factors* and the “Pull” factors.**
*Push factors are the situations that cause an individual to leave his/her homeland to
start a new life in another country—war, religious persecution, famine, etc.
**Pull factors are the benefits (or preserved benefits) that attract an individual to leave
his/her homeland and move to another country—better paying jobs, religious freedom,
etc.
America is the best country! This month has been the best ever. Leaving my county because of
its economic downfall was not easy. I left family friends and love ones all to have a chance at a
better life. This country is so wonderful. The cities and all the cool people I have met are so
wonderful. I left Germany because I wanted my religious freedom. Germany is strict on what
religion you are and I was being purcicuted because of it. On top of that my job is paying more
than I could imagine. I don't want to go back to germany! I want all of my family and friends to
come here which sadly cant happen. Rules are strict and many of my friends don't want to
leave. Only if I could show them how wonderful it actually is here.
