The document discusses three waves of immigration to the United States: Old immigrants from northern Europe between 1600-1850 who settled on farms in the Midwest; New immigrants from southern and eastern Europe between 1860-1920 who moved to cities in the Northeast and worked in factories and mines; and modern immigrants since 1965 from Latin America and Asia. It notes the reasons for immigration included economic opportunities, religious/political persecution, and the promise of freedoms in the US. New immigrants initially arrived at Ellis Island or Angel Island and faced inspections before entering the country. Their expectations of America contrasted with the difficult living conditions they encountered in urban tenements and sweatshops. The massive immigration during this period resulted in a population shift from rural to urban

1. IMMIGRATION AND
URBANIZATION
Immigration and
Urbanization

2.  During most of
the 1800s, the
U.S. followed a
policy of
unrestricted
immigration
because the
American
economy
needed many
unskilled
workers.

3. 3 types of immigrants
There are 3 categories of groups of immigrants:
• Old immigrants 1600s-1850: from northwestern
Europe. They were light skinned and had light
eyes and hair. Most were also Protestant.
• New immigrants 1860-1920: from Eastern and
Southern Europe. These immigrants were
Russian, Polish, Jewish, Italians, Irish, and
Chinese. Their religions were different from the
Old Immigrants (Catholic and Jewish). They
were typically darker in color with darker hair
and eyes.
• Modern immigrants 1965-present: from Latin
America and Asia.

4. RELIGION
BIRTHPLACE
DESTINATION
OCCUPATION
Protestant Catholic and
Jewish
North/Western Southern/
Europe Eastern Europe
Moved to farms Moved to cities
in the Midwest the Northeast
Became farmers Unskilled
workers
Old v. New

6. • 1862 Homestead Act and aid from railroad
companies made western farmland
inexpensive.
• Workers were recruited from homelands to
build railroads, dig mines, or work in factories.
• Many wanted to find gold.
• The promise of freedoms and rights included in
the US Constitution.

7. In the mid-to-late 1800s…
•(1845-1850) the potato famine (a fungus)
destroyed Ireland's potato crop. During these
years, starvation and related diseases claimed as
many as a million lives.
•(1848-1870) War in Italy (Italian unification)
•(1850-1871) War in Germany (German unification)
•(1880s) Persecution of Jews in the Russian Empire.

8. Angel
Island
Ellis
Island
Where did the “new” immigrants
first arrive?

13. Ellis Island
• Once on Ellis
Island, the
immigrants had to
go through three
inspections:
• Physical
• Mental
• Legal

16. Angel Island
• Angel Island -
Immigrant
station in
California
• One million
Asian
immigrants
traveled
through here.

17. •Read Vartan’s statement below and list at least 3 of his
expectations
“Coming to America had meaning. I was a kid of seven and in contrast to
what I had gone through, Ellis Island was like not a haven but a heaven. I
don’t remember any fright when I got to Ellis Island. My father’s dream and
prayer was ‘I must get my family to America’…America was paradise, the
streets were covered with gold. And when we arrived here, and when we
landed form Ellis Island and [went} to Buffalo, it was as if God’s great
promise had been fulfilled that we would eventually find freedom”
Vartan Hartunian
Turkey (Armenian)
age 7
What did the ‘new immigrants’
expect when coming to America?

18. Tenements
Sweatshops
Homelessness

20. What impact did the increased immigration
of the late 1800s have on the U.S.?
population shift from
rural to urban areas

21. How did “new” immigrants adjust to life in the
United States?