Download Immigration Review Questions

Immigration Review Questions
Lesson 1
1. Define the word immigrant and explain its importance in American history.
An immigrant is a person who moves to a place to start a new life. With the possible exception
of Native Americans, the population of the United States consists of immigrants or their
descendants.
2. Why did people want to leave their native countries?
There was no longer enough available farmland for everyone. Crop failures, religious
persecution, and political oppression were also reasons.
3. Why did so many people think that the United States was the best place to move?
Guidebooks, newspapers, ads, and letters home encouraged immigration to the United States.
Europeans were attracted by reports of free schools, no taxes, plentiful jobs, more freedom, and
unlimited farmland.
Lesson 2
1. Describe the typical immigrant family’s voyage across the Atlantic.
Immigrants traveled below deck on a ship designed to carry freight, not passengers. There were
not enough bunks for everyone to sleep in. Many passengers were seasick throughout the
voyage. Passengers often had no food except what they had brought with them; drinking water
was limited. The voyage took 30 to 90 days.
2. How did immigrants decide where to settle once they arrived?
Farmers with enough money traveled south or west and bought farmland. Skilled workers, such
as tailors and printers, found jobs in the cities. Those with no special skills also settled in the
cities, where there were many jobs available. Immigrants also tended to settle near others from
their native countries.
3. What were urban immigrant neighborhoods like?
Whole families lived together in one or two rooms. Many buildings were practically falling down
from neglect. Life was uncomfortable for everyone.
4. Why did immigrants tend to settle near other people from their native countries?
Adjusting to life in a new country would be easier. They would be near friends and relatives.
Lesson 3
1. Why did immigration increase after the civil war?
More people wanted to come to the United States when the nation was no longer divided by
war. Also, because large steamships had replaced sailing ships, ocean voyages were faster,
cheaper, and more pleasant. Immigrants could travel on passenger ships rather than on
freighters.
2. Where did New Immigrants come from?
Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Canada, and Mexico
3. How did the New Immigrants change American cities?
Cities acquired special ethnic neighborhoods, such as Chinatown; foreign language newspapers;
restaurants serving foods of every country; and places of worship for every faith.
4. How were the New Immigrants similar to and different from the Old Immigrants?
Similar: Both came to the United States for greater opportunities and chose to live near others
from their homeland.
Different: New immigrants came from different parts of the world. They dreamed of cities and
factory jobs rather than farms. Some New Immigrants came to make money and return home.
Lesson 4
1. What is the Statue of Liberty’s importance in the story of American Immigration?
To incoming immigrants after 1886, the statue symbolized welcome and freedom
2. What happened at Ellis Island?
Immigrants were examined by doctors and interviewed by officials who decided whether to let
them enter the United States.
3. What does the word nativism mean?
Nativism means a prejudice against outsiders coming into a community or country. In this
lesson it means a prejudice against immigrants coming into the United States.
4. Why did nativists want to limit immigration?
Before the Civil War, nativists were most afraid of the immigrants’ impact on the supremacy of
Protestantism. Later they were afraid that the immigrants would not understand or support a
democratic government. They feared that immigrants would accept lower wages and thus
throw others out of work. They refused to believe that the immigrant would adapt to
“American” language and culture. In some cases nativists were racists.
Lesson 5
1. Define the term melting pot.
The term is used to describe the United States as a country of people from a variety of cultures
who have blended their customs to form an American identity.
2. How did first generation Americans try to make a life in the United States?
They clung to customs, languages, and religions of their homelands and also worked hard to
become American.
3. How did Americans attempt to welcome immigrants into society?
A variety of organizations offered classes in English. Pamphlets instructed immigrants about
how the government worked.
4. How did the American born children of immigrants differ from their parents?
They quickly became fluent in English and wanted to behave like American children. They did
not want to keep the “old-fashioned” customs of their parents.
Vocabulary Words
Crucible- a pot in which ores or metals are melted
Discrimination- treating people in a different way because of
prejudice
Emigration- leaving one country to live in another
Nativist- someone with strong feelings against immigrants;
someone who wants laws banning further immigration
Persecute- to treat people harshly or cruelly and deny their rights
Port- a city with a harbor where ships can load and unload
Tenement- an apartment building, often overcrowded and poorly
kept, usually in a city slum