““I agree that these people are a matter of great concern to us. I I agree that these people are a matter of great concern to us. I fear that one day great troubles may occur. The ones who come fear that one day great troubles may occur. The ones who come here are usually the most stupid of their nation. Few understand here are usually the most stupid of their nation. Few understand our language. Their priests and religious leaders seem to have our language. Their priests and religious leaders seem to have little influence over them. They are not used to freedom and do little influence over them. They are not used to freedom and do not know how to use it properly. It has been reported that young not know how to use it properly. It has been reported that young men do not believe they are true men until they have shown men do not believe they are true men until they have shown their manhood by beating their mothers. their manhood by beating their mothers.

And now they are coming to our country in great numbers. Few of And now they are coming to our country in great numbers. Few of their children know English. They bring in much of their own their children know English. They bring in much of their own reading from their homeland and print newspapers in their own reading from their homeland and print newspapers in their own language. In some parts of our state, ads, street signs, and language. In some parts of our state, ads, street signs, and even some legal documents are in their own language and even some legal documents are in their own language and allowed in courts. allowed in courts.

Unless the stream of these people can be turned away from our Unless the stream of these people can be turned away from our country to other countries, they will soon outnumber us so that country to other countries, they will soon outnumber us so that we will not be able to save our language or our government. we will not be able to save our language or our government. However, I am not in favor of keeping them out entirely. All that However, I am not in favor of keeping them out entirely. All that seems necessary is to distribute them more evenly among us seems necessary is to distribute them more evenly among us and set up more schools that teach English. In this way, we will and set up more schools that teach English. In this way, we will preserve the true heritage of our country.”preserve the true heritage of our country.”

What group of people is being What group of people is being described in this passage?described in this passage?

Who is making the speech?Who is making the speech?

When was this speech made?When was this speech made?

Benjamin Franklin made this speechBenjamin Franklin made this speech

He refers to early German immigrantsHe refers to early German immigrants

American Immigration Past and American Immigration Past and PresentPresent

Throughout its history, America has Throughout its history, America has served as the destination point for a served as the destination point for a

steady flow of immigrants.steady flow of immigrants.

Colonial AmericaColonial AmericaDuring the colonial era most immigrants came from During the colonial era most immigrants came from

northern European countries. northern European countries.

German immigrants were among the German immigrants were among the first Europeans in North America. They first Europeans in North America. They helped establish England’s Jamestown helped establish England’s Jamestown settlement in 1608 and the Dutch settlement in 1608 and the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam--now New colony of New Amsterdam--now New York--in 1620. Many European powers York--in 1620. Many European powers forced their subjects to follow an official forced their subjects to follow an official state religion. Therefore, when William state religion. Therefore, when William Penn toured Germany in 1677, Penn toured Germany in 1677, spreading the word of a new kind of spreading the word of a new kind of religious freedom in the American religious freedom in the American colonies, he found a receptive colonies, he found a receptive audience. Many Germans, especially audience. Many Germans, especially Protestants, were persuaded to join him Protestants, were persuaded to join him in his colony of Pennsylvania. in his colony of Pennsylvania.

Forced ImmigrationForced ImmigrationThe story of African immigration is unique among immigrant The story of African immigration is unique among immigrant

groups. Unlike other immigrants, most Africans came to groups. Unlike other immigrants, most Africans came to North America against their will, caught up in the brutal North America against their will, caught up in the brutal system of slavery. system of slavery.

However in every colony there was always a population of However in every colony there was always a population of African Americans living in freedom. Some were freed African Americans living in freedom. Some were freed slaves or the descendents of freed slaves, some had slaves or the descendents of freed slaves, some had escaped, some had bought their own freedom, and escaped, some had bought their own freedom, and some lived in territories or states that had abolished some lived in territories or states that had abolished slavery. slavery.

Immigrants numbers declined Immigrants numbers declined with the onset of the with the onset of the

Revolutionary War during the Revolutionary War during the 1770s.1770s.

Immigration 1790-1820Immigration 1790-1820Six years after the United States won the War of Independence, Six years after the United States won the War of Independence,

the first Census counted 3.9 million people. The English were the first Census counted 3.9 million people. The English were the largest ethnic group. Nearly 20% were of African heritage. the largest ethnic group. Nearly 20% were of African heritage. Census takers didn't count Native Americans. Census takers didn't count Native Americans.

In 1790 Congress passed the first Naturalization Act, which In 1790 Congress passed the first Naturalization Act, which stipulated that "… any alien, being a free white person, may be stipulated that "… any alien, being a free white person, may be admitted to become a citizen of the United States...." admitted to become a citizen of the United States...."

In the early years of the republic, immigration was light. The War In the early years of the republic, immigration was light. The War of 1812 between the United States and Britain slowed of 1812 between the United States and Britain slowed immigration even further. immigration even further.

When the war ended, immigration from Great Britain, Ireland and When the war ended, immigration from Great Britain, Ireland and Western Europe resumed at a record pace. Major port cities of Western Europe resumed at a record pace. Major port cities of this era - New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Charleston - this era - New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Charleston - were overwhelmed with newcomers.were overwhelmed with newcomers.

1820-18801820-1880 The Industrial Revolution has begun, the slave trade is The Industrial Revolution has begun, the slave trade is

nearing its end, and America is pushing westward. nearing its end, and America is pushing westward. Thousands of immigrants find work on the trans-continental Thousands of immigrants find work on the trans-continental railroad, settling in towns along the way. Word of the railroad, settling in towns along the way. Word of the California Gold Rush has spread around the world, drawing California Gold Rush has spread around the world, drawing immigrants from both Asia and Europe. immigrants from both Asia and Europe.

Although many new immigrants came in pursuit of a dream, Although many new immigrants came in pursuit of a dream, nearly all the Irish immigrants from the 1840's and 1850's nearly all the Irish immigrants from the 1840's and 1850's came to escape a nightmare - a devastating famine back came to escape a nightmare - a devastating famine back home. The Great Hunger would leave 1.5 million dead, and home. The Great Hunger would leave 1.5 million dead, and just as many would flee to America. just as many would flee to America.

As in the past, the immigrants of this period were welcome As in the past, the immigrants of this period were welcome neighbors while the economy was strong. During the neighbors while the economy was strong. During the Civil War both the Union and Confederate armies relied Civil War both the Union and Confederate armies relied on their strength. But during hard times, the immigrants on their strength. But during hard times, the immigrants were cast out and accused of stealing jobs from were cast out and accused of stealing jobs from American workers. American workers.

But it was the pro-immigrant voices of this era that would But it was the pro-immigrant voices of this era that would be most influential. The Republican platform of 1864 be most influential. The Republican platform of 1864 stated, "Foreign immigration which in the past has added stated, "Foreign immigration which in the past has added so much to the wealth, resources, and increase of power so much to the wealth, resources, and increase of power to the nation … should be fostered and encouraged." to the nation … should be fostered and encouraged."

1880-19301880-1930 After the Civil War, America's growing industrial economy After the Civil War, America's growing industrial economy

required the addition of many more workers, and this need required the addition of many more workers, and this need was filled once again by immigrants arriving from Europe. was filled once again by immigrants arriving from Europe. By the 1880's, steam power had shortened the journey to By the 1880's, steam power had shortened the journey to America dramatically and immigrants poured in from around America dramatically and immigrants poured in from around the world. the world.

While earlier immigrants had come mainly from northern While earlier immigrants had come mainly from northern European countries such as England, Germany, and the European countries such as England, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries, by the 1880s most new immigrants Scandinavian countries, by the 1880s most new immigrants were arriving from southern and eastern European countries were arriving from southern and eastern European countries such as Italy, Poland and Russia. The door was wide open such as Italy, Poland and Russia. The door was wide open for Europeans.for Europeans.

The experience for Asian immigrants in this period was The experience for Asian immigrants in this period was quite different. In 1882 Congress passed the Chinese quite different. In 1882 Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, severely restricting immigration from Exclusion Act, severely restricting immigration from China for the next 10 years, which was then extended to China for the next 10 years, which was then extended to be indefinitely. This was the first major restriction on be indefinitely. This was the first major restriction on immigration to the United States. immigration to the United States.

For the first time in American history, immigration into For the first time in American history, immigration into the United States was denied on the basis of race and the United States was denied on the basis of race and class. class.

Why the Chinese?Why the Chinese? Chinese immigration to America was influenced by both the "pull" of Chinese immigration to America was influenced by both the "pull" of

California's Gold Rush and the "push" created by China's impoverished California's Gold Rush and the "push" created by China's impoverished conditions. conditions.

The Chinese did not find instant wealth. However, America's expansion to The Chinese did not find instant wealth. However, America's expansion to the West and the economic boom of the Gold Rush era did provide the West and the economic boom of the Gold Rush era did provide employment possibilities for the Chinese. They quickly became an employment possibilities for the Chinese. They quickly became an inexpensive but formidable work force. inexpensive but formidable work force.

By the early 1870s, the Gold Rush was over. Tens of thousands of East By the early 1870s, the Gold Rush was over. Tens of thousands of East Coast laborers faced an economy in decline and fierce competition for Coast laborers faced an economy in decline and fierce competition for jobs. The Chinese, once welcomed for their work ethic and valuable jobs. The Chinese, once welcomed for their work ethic and valuable contribution, were now blamed for lowering wages, employment contribution, were now blamed for lowering wages, employment opportunities, and working conditions of all laborers.opportunities, and working conditions of all laborers.

Long-held racial, cultural, and religious prejudices were unleashed on the Long-held racial, cultural, and religious prejudices were unleashed on the so-called "heathen Chinee." Inclined to maintain the customs, rituals, so-called "heathen Chinee." Inclined to maintain the customs, rituals, beliefs, and lifestyle of their homeland, the Chinese were accused of beliefs, and lifestyle of their homeland, the Chinese were accused of being unable or unwilling to assimilate into American society. being unable or unwilling to assimilate into American society.

After the outbreak of World War I in 1914, American After the outbreak of World War I in 1914, American attitudes toward immigration began to shift. Nationalism attitudes toward immigration began to shift. Nationalism and suspicion of all foreigners were on the rise, and and suspicion of all foreigners were on the rise, and immigrants' loyalties were often called into question. A immigrants' loyalties were often called into question. A series of laws were passed to limit the flow of series of laws were passed to limit the flow of immigrants.immigrants.

With the U.S. entry into World War I in 1919, immigration With the U.S. entry into World War I in 1919, immigration declined dramatically.declined dramatically.

1930-19651930-1965

The Great Depression has begun, leaving few with the The Great Depression has begun, leaving few with the means or incentive to come to the United States. Many means or incentive to come to the United States. Many recent immigrants return to their native lands, including recent immigrants return to their native lands, including hundreds of thousands of Mexicans, many against their will. hundreds of thousands of Mexicans, many against their will. The restrictive immigration policies of the 1920s persist. The restrictive immigration policies of the 1920s persist.

In the late 1930s, with the Second World War accelerating In the late 1930s, with the Second World War accelerating in Europe, a new kind of immigrant began to challenge the in Europe, a new kind of immigrant began to challenge the quota system, and the American conscience. A small quota system, and the American conscience. A small number of refugees fleeing Nazi persecution arrived under number of refugees fleeing Nazi persecution arrived under the quota system, but most were turned away. the quota system, but most were turned away.

At the turn of the century a great 25 year surge of immigration At the turn of the century a great 25 year surge of immigration began, in which more than 100,000 Japanese nationals began, in which more than 100,000 Japanese nationals arrived in the U.S., mostly in California. arrived in the U.S., mostly in California.

The Japanese were quite successful in their business The Japanese were quite successful in their business endeavors and have produced at least one American-made endeavors and have produced at least one American-made millionaire. millionaire.

By the early years of the century, organized campaigns had By the early years of the century, organized campaigns had already arisen to exclude Japanese immigrants from U.S. already arisen to exclude Japanese immigrants from U.S. life. repeating many of the same slanders as had been used life. repeating many of the same slanders as had been used against Chinese immigrants in the decades before. against Chinese immigrants in the decades before.

By 1930, half of the Japanese in the United States U.S.-born By 1930, half of the Japanese in the United States U.S.-born second generation. These citizens were more likely to speak second generation. These citizens were more likely to speak English than Japanese, more likely to practice Christianity English than Japanese, more likely to practice Christianity than Buddhism, and more likely to prefer "American" food, than Buddhism, and more likely to prefer "American" food, sports, music, and social mores than those of Japanese sports, music, and social mores than those of Japanese tradition.tradition.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor, bringing the U.S. into the Second World War. Harbor, bringing the U.S. into the Second World War. Hours after the attack, U.S. security personnel began Hours after the attack, U.S. security personnel began rounding up and arresting prominent Japanese Americans rounding up and arresting prominent Japanese Americans as security risks. By the end of the war in 1945, 125,000 as security risks. By the end of the war in 1945, 125,000 people, half of them children, had spent time in what even people, half of them children, had spent time in what even Roosevelt admitted were concentration camps. Roosevelt admitted were concentration camps.

This large-scale imprisonment of U.S. citizens solely on the This large-scale imprisonment of U.S. citizens solely on the basis of their ancestry was met with almost universal basis of their ancestry was met with almost universal approval. No serious explanations were offered as to why approval. No serious explanations were offered as to why no large-scale internment of German or Italian Americans no large-scale internment of German or Italian Americans ever took place. No Japanese American was ever ever took place. No Japanese American was ever convicted of any act of sabotage during World War II. convicted of any act of sabotage during World War II.

1965-20001965-2000By the early 1960s, calls for immigration reform were growing By the early 1960s, calls for immigration reform were growing

louder. In 1965, Lyndon Johnson signed the Hart-Cellar Act louder. In 1965, Lyndon Johnson signed the Hart-Cellar Act into law. Gone was the quota system favoring Western into law. Gone was the quota system favoring Western Europe, replaced by one offering hope to immigrants from Europe, replaced by one offering hope to immigrants from all the continents. The face of America was truly about to all the continents. The face of America was truly about to change. change.

Within 5 years, Asian immigration would more than quadruple. Within 5 years, Asian immigration would more than quadruple. This trend was magnified even further by the surge in This trend was magnified even further by the surge in refugees from the war in South East Asia and Cuba, as a refugees from the war in South East Asia and Cuba, as a result of Cold War conflicts during the 70’s and 80’s.result of Cold War conflicts during the 70’s and 80’s.

In 1978, the United States government set a single annual In 1978, the United States government set a single annual world quota of 290,000, and this ceiling was raised again in world quota of 290,000, and this ceiling was raised again in 1990 to 700,000.1990 to 700,000.

In a policy that continues to this day, the government has given In a policy that continues to this day, the government has given preferences to professionals like doctors, nurses, scientists, preferences to professionals like doctors, nurses, scientists, and hi-tech specialists, creating what is often called the "Brain and hi-tech specialists, creating what is often called the "Brain Drain." Drain."

Immigrants can enter the country by air, by sea, and by land Immigrants can enter the country by air, by sea, and by land routes through Canada and Mexico, making it easier than ever routes through Canada and Mexico, making it easier than ever to enter the country illegally. In 1986, the government gave to enter the country illegally. In 1986, the government gave amnesty to more than 3 million aliens through the Immigration amnesty to more than 3 million aliens through the Immigration Reform Act. Reform Act.

However, during the recession years of the early 90s, there was a However, during the recession years of the early 90s, there was a resurgence of anti-immigrant feeling. Yet immigrants have resurgence of anti-immigrant feeling. Yet immigrants have arrived at a pace that at times has exceeded one million new arrived at a pace that at times has exceeded one million new arrivals per year, and have settled in all parts of the country arrivals per year, and have settled in all parts of the country

Compare the immigrants of 1930-1965 to the immigrants of 1965-2000.

What differences do you see?

Immigration rates through the 1990s have soared, leaving today's Immigration rates through the 1990s have soared, leaving today's generation with lingering questions: generation with lingering questions:

Does America have a duty to keep its doors open to the world? Does America have a duty to keep its doors open to the world? Can immigrants keep their own culture and language, and still be Can immigrants keep their own culture and language, and still be

called Americans? called Americans?

The debates will certainly continue, as new immigrants arrive on our The debates will certainly continue, as new immigrants arrive on our shores daily, bringing with them their own histories, traditions, and shores daily, bringing with them their own histories, traditions, and ideas, all of which broaden and enrich our sense of what it means to ideas, all of which broaden and enrich our sense of what it means to be an American. be an American.