Immigration to the U.S.

Directions: Research the following topics and figure out answers to the questions. Write your notes and answers on lined paper or your notebook paper. You are expected to use the time completely, be through and become knowledgeable. Write down any questions you have related to the material on your paper and bring them up during the class discussion. Warning: If you are found to be using your research time for other things, it will hurt your learning and grade. If you think or claim to be done, you are not! The class will research as much as time allows before discussion. Since there is always more to research and learn, Mr. Spitzer encourages you to look into the topic more on your own time.

Topics to Research

Immigration 1830s to 1860s: Irish, German, hardships

American treatment of new immigrants

Know-Nothing Party

Questions to be able to discuss

  1. What 1840s conditions led the Irish to immigrate to the United States? Where did they settle? Why?
  2. What were the hardships of the 1815-1860 travel to the United States? Check specifically the Edinburgh Review of July 1854 account. Explain the news items details of conditions, as quote some of the account.
  3. Why did the over 1.3 million Germans come to the United States between 1845 and 1860? Where did they settle? Why?
  4. How did the Irish, Germans and other immigrant contribute to the United States? Why did many native-born Americans resent the new immigrants? Give examples of anti-immigrant actions in the 1840s.
  5. What were the labor conditions in the factories and mills of the 1830s-1860s. Describe conditions, pay, hours, safety, etc. Also describe the off work living conditions.
  6. Who took many of the factory & mill positions/jobs in the time period from 1830-1860? What happened to wages of native Americans? Why did union pressure not solve this situation?
  7. What was the major aim of the Know-Nothing Party? Give your opinion of this party. Why do you say this? Explain.

Critical Thinking

  1. Why would immigrants tend at first to hold on to their old ways of life? Why would this lead to resentment against them? Would the children and grandchildren of immigrants be as likely to follow the “old ways”? Explain.
  2. During the 1830-1860, two thirds of the immigrants entering America were between the ages of 15 and 40, and about two thirds were males. What do these figures indicate to you?
  3. Do groups similar to the Know-Nothing Party of the 1840’s have the right to exist in American society today? Explain.
  4. Is there a need in the United States today for a “Know-Nothing Party”? Explain.
  5. Are minority groups still discriminated against in regard to jobs, unions and where they live? Explain.
  6. Why were native American wages forced down in the 1830s -60s due to immigration? Why was the labor union movement before the Civil War less than successful?