Why were Immigrants drawn to the U. S.? Pull Factors

Why were Immigrants drawn to the U. S.? Pull Factors

Pull Factors to America Jobs Land The opportunity to build a better life Freedom Safety

Promise vs. Disappointment

Jobs, Land, The Opportunity to Build a Better Life Economic Factors

Job Opportunities Contract labor agreements Until 1885- new law not allowed to do so Coal mines Steel mills Textile mills Railroad Free passage for those who could buy land along tracks

Job Realities Scarcity of jobs Took away from others Native Americans and Freed Slaves Poor working conditions (no labor laws) Men Factories Mines Manual labor Women Servants Factories Children Coal Mines, bootblacks, selling newspapers

Job Realities Low pay 1912- men earn less than $10 a week Long hours Resentment of those that worked hard Language barrier Mills and mines towns built by companies controlled houses, rents, store prices, and wages

Land Opportunities Farming Land ownership in the west (1860s) Homestead Act Government gave land away for free 160 acres For all current citizens and immigrants

Land Reality West- Rural 1890s no longer land to give away Attacked by Native Americans Had to clear land Poor soil conditions Short growing season Loneliness Lack of medical care Cities- Urban Industrial jobs pulled to cities Tenement living

Successes Hard-working Open own businesses Sent money home Save enough money to buy land in America Woman proud of paycheck First time earning money Learn language and get better jobs More than half: Return back with enough money to live comfortably

First Hand Account Activity: Read both accounts Discuss with your groupwould you tell others to come to America or not?

Freedom and Safety Political and Religious Factors

Freedom Religious Freedom to keep their religious culture alive 2,000 distinct religious groups by the 21st century Six day work weeks made a day of worship possible Community and social network around religion Openly practice and celebrate their religion Political Less government control Educational Opportunity to pursue an education Immigrants perceived America was a safer place to live

Activity Freedoms I am Thankful for: What are some of the freedoms in America that you appreciate? Why do you appreciate these? Discuss and put these on a chart.

The New Colossus Poem by Emma Lazar

The New Colossus Listen to the following song: http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/songs/patriotic/give_me_your_tiredmp3.htm While listening to the lyrics jot down your thoughts and feelings. Some things to think about: Who is speaking? Who is the speaker talking to? Is this a song of hope or despair?

The New Colossus This poem is inscripted on the Statue of Liberty

Activity Pass out the end of the poem with the definitions of trick words. Students work in groups and write what the poem means in their own words. Come back as a group and discuss: What does the poem mean? Chart it on a blow-up

The New Colossus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

The Journey How long would the ocean trip take? Mid-1800 s 40 days on sailing ships Late 1800 s 6-32 days on steam ships

Steerage How can a steerage passenger Below deck remember that he is a human Several hundred passengers being when he must first pick Narrow bunk beds the worms from his food...and Three high eat in his stuffy, stinking bunk, Cold or in the hot atmosphere of a Frostbite compartment where 150 men Dark and foul smelling sleep? Ticket cost- $30.00 One bath area Menu- lukewarm soup, boiled potatoes, stringy beef Only bring what you could carry

First Class Private cabin Food served in the dining room Ballrooms Grand Saloons Luggage was permitted