The Changing American

Identity
Chapter 13
Sections 1.1 , 1.2 & 1.4
 The Lure of America
Push & Pull
● There were more than 7.5
million immigrants that
came to the United States
between 1840 and 1870
● Many people came
because of the war that
was taking place in Europe
● There was a push factor in
England when the Pilgrims
disagreed on the topic of
the church.
● Many people were pulled
into North America was
religion was able to be
freely practiced, land was
easily available, and to earn
a living.
Vocabulary
Emigrate:move from an
area
Immigrate:move to an area
Pull factors: good
economy, job opportunities,
land to farm, freedom
Push factors: crop failures,
famine, overpopulation,
religious persecution, and
wars
Steerage: A small confined
space between the main
decks of the ship
Looking for Opportunities
● Many Chinese men moved from China
to California because they found out
gold was available there and also they
wanted to find a good stable job
● Soon many other areas such as
Ireland, Scandinavia, Britain, Europe,
and Germany started migrating
● Often most of these people suffered
on this journey because most people
couldn't afford much and the only way
they could travel with was a steerage
● This led to them having to bring their
own supplies to cook, sleep, and cloth
with. They also had to deal with many
pests and rodents which led to
diseases and deaths of many people
● New industries were created and
people from different areas wanted to
come and work there. They became
an important source of labor
The Lure of America
What countries had the 3 highest rates of immigration?
(in order)

1. Ireland
2. Germany
3. Great Britain

How would you feel if you had to emigrate to a

different country with a different culture?

I would feel very worried and anxious, as I am moving to

a new place with many new things I would wonder how I
would fit in. I would want to be free and able to do what I
want.
 From different Countries

The on the right hand side will have a much easier time assimilating because they are already wealthy and rich, I know this
because they are dressed more better showing a sign of wealth. The image on the left hand side shows the people not that rich,
as they do not have any shoes on. Also, on the left hand side there is no man or breadwinner while on the right hand side there is
a man.
From different Countries
The Irish Experience
● Push: British oppression,
potato blight/famine
● Pull: Jobs! Factories, canals,
railroads, docks, maids
● Most Irish were unskilled and
were recruited to America
because they would work for
low wages
From different Countries
The German Experience
● Push: civil unrest, lack of
opportunities, religion
● Pull: farmland, religious
freedom, opportunities
● Many Germans had skills and
money; could afford to go to
the Midwest and buy farmland
and not work low-paying jobs
Opposition to Immigration
● Many feared the effects of
new cultures on the US
● Others feared that
immigrants would drive
wages down
● Fear = prejudice, persecution,
stereotypes
● Nativist laws were passed to
oppose mass immigration
Opposition to Immigration
Prejudice: preconceived
opinion that is not
based on reason or
actual experience
Stereotype: a widely
held but fixed and
oversimplified image or
idea of a particular type
of person or thing
What makes us who we are?

● Brown
● American
● Indian
● Ananya
Video
Video
Video
 Reflection
After watching these videos: What are you most surprised about? Were
you surprised by the science regarding races? Do you think it is possible to
end racism?

After watching these videos I realized that skin tone just can’t define if your similar or like someone else.
Someone could have a totally different look and skin tone than you but tests show that they are actually very
similar to you. It amazes me how we humans just make assumptions without knowing the actual truth of
someone's background, race, and ethnicity. I think it is possible to end racism, by being more equal and not
judging people, we can all come together. Many people usually judge others based on on their skin tone, this
often leads to them not being able to go to school or work just because they have a certain skin tone.