Immigration

1. Describe the causes of the immigration of Southern and Eastern Europeans, Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Some immigrants came to America to get escape hunger, land shortages, and religious and political persecution. Some came to earn money and then go back to their homeland. Most Europeans came to get away from religious persecution. There weren't many occupations available Europe, and so they came to America where there were more opportunities. Many Chinese and Japanese people came to America because they were interested in the gold rush.

2. Describe the journey immigrants endured and their experiences at United States immigration stations.

Most immigrants traveled in steamship, which had poor conditions. They were piled together and couldn't get fresh air. Because of the close quarters between the passengers and the poor hygiene, there were diseases and many passengers died before reaching America.

All of the immigrants had to pass many inspections before being allowed to enter the United States.

At Ellis Island in New York: First they were examined by a doctor. If they had a serious health condition, they were not allowed in. Then the immigrants were inspected by a government inspector who examined their documents. The immigrants had to prove they had never been been convicted of a felony, prove they were able to work, and have at least a small amount of money.

At Angel Island in San Fransisco: Immigrants were harshly questioned and quarantined in horrible conditions for long periods of time before they were accepted or rejected.