Immigration History

Immigration History

1491-1830

Reasons

Religious tolerance, economic opportunity, political freedom, forced immigration (Slavery

Who

Northern and Western Europeans

Africans - Slaves: There were about 500,000 African Americans here by the time of the American Revolution.

Destinations

New England - English (Puritans)

Middle Colonies - Quakers, Dutch, Germans, Scotch-Irish, Swedes, etc. – very diverse

Southern Colonies – English Protestants (Catholics in Maryland), Scotch-Irish, indentured servants, slaves

Treatment

There were really no efforts to keep out immigrants in the 1600-1800's and in general, the presence of newcomers was accepted as yet another facet to America's diversity. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the control over the admission of newcomers was mainly in the hands of the individual colonies. In Virginia, laws encouraged newcomers by giving the "head-right" of 50 acres to each arrival if he/she paid for their own passage or to the master who paid for them. There was also an effort to keep out convicts and other undesirables whom the mother country might which to send to the provinces, except in the case of Georgia. After America's independence, all such restraints on immigration disappeared. The federal government simply regulated the conditions for naturalization. In the case of slaves, they were imported mostly through Charleston, but sold in all of the colonies. After statehood was achieved during the Revolution, some states abolished slavery in their state Constitutions.

Laws/Politics

1830-1890

Reasons

Cheap land, jobs were abundant, and labor was scarce. The Irish Potato Famine; crop failures in Germany; the onset of industrialization; and failed European revolutions begin a period of mass immigration.The California Gold Rush spurs immigration from China.The U.S. government recruited Chinese immigrants to work on the transcontinental railroad.

Who

From 1830-1880 immigrants were primarily white Europeans who mostly spoke English: German, English, Irish (potato

famine and British rule) with few from Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands

In 1848, with the discovery of Gold, there was a spur of Chinese and Latin American immigrants to the west coast

Destinations

Irish – NE cities; Germans – mid-West; Asians and Latin Americans – West Coast

Treatment

In the first half of the century, immigrants were welcomed as workers who built railroads, worked in factories, and farmed Western lands. However, there was also a growth in Nativism. The Know-Nothing Party emerged in the 1840s as a reaction to potential loss of jobs, subversion of the Anglo culture, and fear of Catholicism.

1890-1929

Reasons

jobs, come to the "Land of Opportunity"

Who

“New Immigrants”: Southern and Eastern Europeans (Italians, Poles, Russian Jews, Greeks, Slavs, Eastern European Jews, Armenians) and Asians (Chinese, Japanese); most did not speak English

Destinations

Most immigrants settled near the port of entry (East Coast/West Coast); only 2% went South

Treatment

Were treated with little respect (taking away jobs, looked down upon for different cultural values); immigrants began to form their own communities

Laws/Politics

American Protective League – prejudiced against Catholics

German-Americans discriminated against during WWI

1919 – Red Scare – fear of Communists; Palmer Raids

1920s – reemergence of the KKK

1930s-Present

Reasons

To escape political persecution (ex. Cuba, Vietnam)

Who

Latin Americans, Asians; increasing numbers of illegal immigrants

Destinations

South, Southwest, West Coast, NE Cities

Treatment

Japanese-Americans were treated harshly during WWII

Communists, or potential Communists, are barred post-WWII

In the last half of the 20th century, there was less emphasis on countries of origin, but immigrants continue to face discrimination.

In recent years, there have been increased campaigns to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country.

Laws/Politics