Immigration Unit Terms

Jamestown (1607)

1.) British colonists move to this colony in Virginia in 1607 for economic opportunities

2.) Colony struggled at first due to disease/harsh winter but tobacco saved the colony and became major cash crop

3.) 1st permanent British settlement in North America

Indentured Servant

1.) Colonists who received free passage to North America in exchange for working without pay for 5 years.

2.) Many worked on tobacco farms in Virginia

3.) 50-60% of Europeans who arrived in the colonies came over as indentured servants.

Puritans (1630)

1.) Religious group who moved from Britain to America in 1630 for freedom of religion

2.) Wanted to create a model Christian community

3.) Considered themselves a "city upon a hill".

Middle Passage

1.) A voyage that brought enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to North America and the West Indies

2.) The enslaved were packed tightly in chains on the boat which took 6-8 weeks

3.) About 10-20% (1 million) enslaved Africans died on the boat ride

Irish Potato Famine (1845)

1.) A fungus-like organism ruined potato crops in Ireland beginning in 1845 which many Irish people relied on for source of food

2.) As a result about 1 million Irish died and another 1 million moved to US.

3.) Most Irish immigrants stayed in cities like Boston and New York.

Nativism

1.) Belief that NATIVE BORN AMERICANS were superior to immigrants.

2.) Influential in America in 1840s/1850s. Many nativists formed the Know-Nothing Party - claimed 1 million members (out of U.S. population of 24 m).

3.) Prejudice largely focused on Irish and Catholics

Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)

1.) Banned Chinese immigration into America for 10 years - it was extended until 1943

2.) Did not want to compete with Chinese labor (mostly western US)

Gentleman's Agreement (1907)

1.) Informal (secret) agreement between the U.S. and Japan

Japan agreed not to let any more of their citizens migrate to America

2.) In return, the U.S. would end legal discrimination against Japanese students in schools (mostly in California)

Ellis Island (1892-1954)

1.) Main processing center for immigrants entering the U.S. from Europe

2.) 12 million immigrants processed; 40% of Americans can trace their ancestors through Ellis Island

Tenement Housing

1.) Building full of INEXPENSIVE apartments

2.) Often dangerous, very few regulations; no indoor plumbing

3.) Often multiple families sharing 2-3 rooms

Immigration Quota Acts (1921, 1924)

1.) In response to growing southeastern European immigration

2.) Reduces the number of immigrants from 800,000 to eventually 165,000 outside of western hemisphere

3.) Specifies how many immigrants from SPECIFIC countries, favoring countries of "old immigrants"

Mexican Repatriation (1929-1944)

1.) Great Depression leads to massive unemployment (25%)

2.) Over two million people of Mexican descent - 1.2 million of whom were born in the United States - were repatriated (sent back) to Mexico.

3.) ⅓ of Mexican populations of Texas, Los Angeles sent back to Mexico

Bracero Program (1942-1964)

1.) When WWII broke out and 16 million Americans joined the military there was a SUDDEN shortage of labor

2.) 4.5 million Mexicans were given contracts to come to US and work in agriculture

Immigration Quota Act of 1965

1.) Ends system of quotas PER COUNTRY

2.) Sets total quota of immigrants regardless of country

3.) Most important immigration law impacting US today

Immigration Reform Act of 1986

1.) Granted amnesty to millions of unauthorized immigrants - creates path for them to get green cards (2.7 million take advantage of this)

2.) Made it illegal for businesses to hire unauthorized immigrants.

3.) Signed into law by Ronald Reagan

Immigration Reform Act of 1990

1.) Created a "diversity lottery" (50,000 spots per year)

2.) In 2018 - there was only one spot for every 292 applicants

3.) Increased quota of annual immigrants from 500,000 to 700,000