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As early as the 1600's, European fled to the Americas, in pursue of religious freedom.They first example of this was the Puritans from Europe, settling and establishing a colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts.Besides religious freedom, many simply migrated to fulfill the American dream, having a new life and job in the ever growing American economy, such as the large German population that came in the late 1800s. In the 19th century , Irish immigrants, which accounted for approximately lately 1/3 of the migrant population, migrated because of the potato famine. During the 1800-1920's,there was a great influx of immigrants from central, eastern, and Southern Europe . Majority of Eastern European immigrants were Jews, fleeing from religious persecution due to the growing anti-Semitism regime.

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Want to know more about the Chinese Exclusion Act? Watch this video!

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Want to know more about the Chinese Exclusion Act? Watch this video!

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Uploaded by Laura Perkins on 2010-07-30.

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The United States experienced major waves of immigration during the first part of the 19th century, from the 1880's to 1924. Many immigrants came to America seeking greater economic opportunities, or for some other reasons, such as the Pilgrims in the early 1600's who arrived in search of religious freedom. Many waves of immigration from countries such as China, Ireland, Europe . The Chinese Exclusion Act prohibited Chinese workers from entering the United States and barred those already here from returning if they ever leave. There were groups of anti-immigration activities going on. Those who supported this movement were known as the Know-nothings. They were strongly opposed to immigrants and those who followed the Catholic Church. They suffered through a lot of discrimination and racial intolerance because they were seen as working lower wages and taking jobs. The rail Road companies turned against the Chinese workers after the Chinese wanted better work pay and shorter hours. 5,000 Chinese railroad workers went on strike after the companies shortened their foo supplies, which eventually
During the 1800 and 1924, American society and government did not live up to their own ideals of liberty and equality because they treated the Chinese poorly. They were treated with disrespect and were forced work low wages. When they tried to stand up for themselves by going on strike, the companies eventually brought them back to work by taking away things that they needed. The Chinese had no freedom, they were there just as workers.

DA- 19 "1700-1920 U.S. Immigration"

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The Italians left their homeland between 1880 and 1915. While the majority of Italians settled in the urban centers of the east, many, Italians came out west. As late as 1890, there were more Italian immigrants on the Pacific coast. Their reasons for leaving and for choosing California was for various reasons. Overpopulation and the French capture of the wine industry in the 1880s made leaving attractive to Ligurians. The fact that California's small immigrant community was 80% northern made it more attractive to these people. At the same time, the higher taxes, natural disasters, and soil erosion experienced in the south caused many Sicilians to leave as well. The Chinese exclusion act also was a big part of why Italians came to America it increased the demand for Italian agricultural workers in the absence of Chinese immigrants.
"New York. Ellis Island." N.p., 1909. Web.

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The Know - Nothing party by name of American Party, flourished in the 1850s. The Know-Nothing party was an outgrowth of the strong anti-immigrant and especially anti-Roman Catholic that started to manifest itself during the 1840s. A rising tide of immigrants, primarily Germans in the Midwest and Irish in the East, seemed to pose a threat to the economic and political security of native-born Protestant Americans. The Know-Nothings claimed that Irish and Germans immigrants most of whom were Catholics threaten democracy because they were loyal to the pope not the United States.
American Party, the Know-Nothings. N.d. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

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Most Chinese immigrants came to the United States to support their families by sending them money in order to live. Basically, they immigrated to pursue their dream of a good life. Unfortunately, the attempt of having a better life was stopped in 1882, the U.S. suspended Chinese immigration (The Exclusion Act was passed by Congress). In 1888, the Scott Act was passed, making it impossible for those who visit China to come back into the United States. Following that, a permanent ban was created so no more Chinese immigrants can come into the United States. The Chinese were unable to gain citizenship until 1943.

Citations:
History.com Staff. "Chinese Exclusion Act." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 19 Dec. 2016.

"Milestones: 1866–1898 - Office of the Historian." U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State, n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2016.

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"Immigration Policies/Internal Migration Timeline." Timetoast. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2016.

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Bettmann, Corbis. "Map: Immigration to the United States 1880-1920." Centries of Citizenship. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print.

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By the 1880's, steam power had shortened the journey to America dramatically. Immigrants poured in from around the world: from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Southern and Eastern Europe, and down from Canada.

The door was wide open for Europeans. In the 1880s alone, 9% of the total population of Norway emigrated to America. After 1892, nearly all immigrants came in through the newly opened Ellis Island.

One immigrant recalled arriving at Ellis Island: "The boat anchored at mid-bay and then they tendered us on the ship to Ellis Island…We got off the boat…you got your bag in your hand and went right into the building. Ah, that day must have been about five to six thousand people. Jammed, I remember it was August. Hot as a pistol, and I'm wearing my long johns, and my heavy Irish tweed suit."

Families often immigrated together during this era, although young men frequently came first to find work. Some of these then sent for their wives, children, and siblings; others returned to their families in Europe with their saved wages.

The experience for Asian immigrants in this period was quite different. In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, severely restricting immigration from China. Since earlier laws made it difficult for those Chinese immigrants who were already here to bring over their wives and families, most Chinese communities remained "bachelor societies."

The 1907 "Gentlemen's Agreement" with Japan extended the government's hostility towards Asian workers and families. For thousands, the Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco Bay would be as close as they would ever get to the American mainland.

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The Industrial Revolution had begun, the slave trade was nearing its end, and America was pushing westward. Thousands of immigrants found work on the trans-continental railroad, settling in towns along the way. Word of the California Gold Rush had spread around the world, drawing immigrants from both Asia and Europe.

Although many new immigrants came in pursuit of a dream, nearly all the Irish immigrants from the 1840's and 1850's came to escape a nightmare - a devastating famine back home. As one immigrant recalled, "I saw the crop. I smelt the fearful stench…the death sign of each field of potatoes…the luxuriant stalks soon withered, the leaves decayed…" The Great Hunger would leave 1.5 million dead, and just as many would flee to America.

The Irish weren't the only newcomers. Rapid population growth, changes in land distribution, and industrialization had stripped many European peasants and artisans of their livelihoods. Departing from Liverpool and Hamburg, they came in through the major Eastern ports, and New Orleans. Chinese immigrants began to arrive in the 1850's, entering through San Francisco.

As in the past, the immigrants of this period were welcome neighbors while the economy was strong. During the Civil War, both the Union and Confederate armies relied on their strength. But during hard times, the immigrants were cast out and accused of stealing jobs from American workers. Some of the loudest protests came from the Know-Nothings, a political party of the 1850's famous for its anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic leanings.

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

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Posters were posted to protest against Chinese immigrants.  

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Posters were posted to protest against Chinese immigrants.  

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The following poster presents the harsh discrimination these immigrants faced.
"Chinese Exclusion Act." Mr. Boll. N.p., 01 Sept. 2011. Web. 20 Dec. 2016.

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Cartoon portraying the Chinese Exclusion Act

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Cartoon portraying the Chinese Exclusion Act

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This Cartoon is from 1882, the year Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Leslie, Frank.
This is not living up to American Society and its own ideals of equality because America is suppose to be a land of liberty for all men and nations during this time period
"Chinese Exclusion Act." N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Aug. 2016.

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Ellis Island served as a federal immigration station, processing millions of new arrivals annually.
Life liberty an the pursuit of happiness. Though many Americans were against immigrants, some allowed immigrants to come to America to chase the "American Dream" and practice their right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Immigration Ellis Island. N.d. History.com. By History.com Staff. Web. 19 Dec. 2016.

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Immigration: The action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country.

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Immigration: The action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country.

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"Immigration Timeline." Immigration Timeline - The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island. Ellis Island Foundation Inc., n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2016.