1870-1915: The Immigrant Years

The decades between 1870 and 1915 saw a massive influx of immigrants into the United States. These immigrants came from many nations and came for many different reasons. Each group had their own unique experiences that served to shape the social and economic climate of their day. Their experiences in this country, whether good or bad, and their very presence forced Americans to take notice and adjust in many ways.

The Chinese came to America in the late 1800's to find their fortune. Many came because of stories they had heard about the wealth that could be found in America, as can be seen in the many stories found in histories of America and China. It is evident from their stories that Chinese immigrants were very hard workers. They contributed to the economy, especially in the West, by providing many essential services. Some opened laundries while others worked on the railroads. It is even said that employers would hire no one else but the Chinese if they were available due to their strong work ethic. This is where their problems would begin.

Native born Americans did not take kindly to this "invasion" as they saw it. Since the Chinese were such hard workers, they were in high demand by employers and their strong entrepreneurial skills were enabling them to open Laundromats and small stores wherever they went. This was seen by those who were native born as an affront to their right to gainful employment. The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed to stop Chinese Immigration and in a sense, cut them off. Propaganda sprouted up around the country referring to Chinese immigrants as inferior and out to undermine the stability of the United States. Groups such as the KKK and other nativist groups used violence against the Chinese as a tool to scare them off. While these violent tactics did undermine the efforts of Chinese immigrants, their entrepreneurial spirit allowed them to start over again and again.

Other immigrant groups around the country experienced hardships in many other ways. Labor compartmentalization was one way in which these groups were kept from assimilating. Some groups were seemingly confined to working in steel mills, while others, especially women, were confined to the garment industry. These restrictions would lead to incidents such as the deaths of over 180 women in the Triangle Shirtwaist fire. The policies in place due to the Immigration Act were also one nativist reaction to immigration. Any immigrant who was deemed unfit, an imbecile, or any number of other stereotypical descriptions was denied entry. Despite such policies, however, immigrants flourished and continued to flock to the United States to find a better way of life away from the poverty and suffering in their homelands.

The immigrants who came to the United States between 1870 and 1915 were seeking a better life. They were fleeing poverty and discrimination in their homeland and they again found those things in the United States. They all had string work ethics and the desire to build a better life in their new homes. Despite the challenges and the fact that native-born Americans fought them in many ways, they continued and do continue to flourish.

Sources

The American Journey, David Goldfield