What can you tell me about the immigrants from the late 1800's to the early 1900's?

Question

Who were they? Where did they settle? What were thier lives like? Etc Etc.
I am talking about the ones that came to the US

I know it is a broad subject. But I am asking what you know of them not a history lesson. Any sources would be great too. History lesson would be fine also.

Answer 1

The vast majority of immigrants came from Europe, particularly most eastern and southern European countries. Most of these immigrants settled along the northeast coast in large cities such as Boston and NYC. From most accounts, these immigrants were the poor, working class, so they didn't have the financial means to establish themselves in America. Most of them lived in ghetto-like areas of large cities and were cramped in apartment buildings.

A large influx of northern European/Scandanavian and German immigrants migrated to the midwest, particularly in Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas, etc. I imagine that their lives were a little easier than immigrants who stayed on the east coast, because the midwest and west was hardly as crowded and these immigrants were able to farm their own land for the most part.

There was also a large influx of Chinese immigrants into California and throughout the west who worked mostly on the railroads, thus the large areas of Asian populations in places like San Francisco, etc.

Hope this helps!!

Answer 2

These immigrants were mainly non-whites such as Italians, Russians, Polish, Chinese, etc. They were disliked by the American public because of their physical and linguistic differences. They mostly settled in places like New York and other cities where there were many factories. They lived in poverty. They lived in homes that had usually one room, meaning a kitchen, beds, a table, etc. all in one room. They were cramped and also unsanitary. I forget what the homes were called that the government built, but they had many steps and instead of going all the way down to the trash can, they just threw their rotten food or trash out the window. The streets and water were polluted and natural disasters such as fire were commonplace or likely. They usually worked in factories along with their family members, including children as young as 3. They were payed very little, way less than the average white man. If one died, no one cared for there was another immigrant waiting to take his/her place. They were disliked, uncared about and lived in poverty. They probably didn't make more than a dollar a week.

Answer 3

That's a mighty broad subject. It doesn't lend itself to a short, simple answer. My immigrant ancestors came to this country about that time, from Hungary, England, Ireland. They settled in New York state, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Other immigrants settled all over the country.
Chinese immigrants came to California beginning with the gold rush in 1849. http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/timeline/riseind/chinimms/chinimms.html

Mexicans have been migrating into the Southwest and Southern California since before there WAS a United States of Ameria.

Irish immigration: http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/Irish.html

Eastern European immigration: http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/immig/alt/polish5.html

Answer 4

A lot of the ones who ended up homesteading the northern plains areas were from Norway, Sweden, Germany, Neatherlands and Finland. They were farmers or common folks who wanted a better life than where they came from offered. They settled in the areas of Montana, North and South Dakota, Minnesota and many other north western states. Their lives were very hard. A lot of them died from starvation, disease, accidents and murder. I am guessing when I say that probably 50% of them stayed to build homes, farms and businesses for thier families. The rest died or went somewhere else because it was too hard or they lost everything they brought with them due to weather or thieves.

Answer 5

Check out the Irish immigrants, the ones who came over because they were starving and driven off their land during a famine as a result of a potatoe disease.

Answer 6

Many of them worked in factories and meat cutting industries which were both very dangerous, it was not uncommon for them to be injured or lose limbs on the job. Women and children would often work sewing clothing.

Answer 7

They didn`t believe in handouts like people do today. They pulled themselves up by their bootstraps. In other words they relied on themselves to make it in the land of oportunity. Most of them came in through Ellis Island...and saw the Statue of Lberty that the French gave us on the way in.

Answer 8

Look for books at the library that are both fictional and non-fiction. They do have a great deal of more information than your book from school.

Answer 9

Catholic, Jews, Irish, and stuff

Answer 10

http://www.ellisisland.org/Immexp/index.asp