Part Three: Movements (“Waves”) of Immigration

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing the four key movements and waves of immigration to the United States, including dates, origins, entry points, and policies.

Formative Wave (First Movement)

The movement occurring from 1602 to 1830 composed of people from Western Europe (England, France, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, and Italy) who settled permanently, created America, and did not consider themselves immigrants.

Jamestown and Plymouth

The first settlement locations established in 1607 and 1620, respectively, preceding the establishment of the thirteen colonies during the Formative Wave.

Philadelphia (Formative Wave Entry Point)

The principal point of entry for the Formative Wave; New York was not initially used because it started as a Dutch port.

Africans in the Formative Wave

The second largest group arriving between 1602 and 1830, who were excluded from the self-defined formative creation process because they were not considered people.

First Wave (Second Movement)

The movement from 1830 to 1880 marking the first time incoming groups were designated as 'immigrants', consisting of Western Europeans (Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark) and Chinese arriving on the West Coast.

Castle Garden

An immigration station in NYC serving Western Europeans during the second movement and part of the third movement until 1892; checked safe conducts and served as the precursor to Ellis Island.

Mexican Initial 'Immigration' Status

A unique case across all movements where the first group of Mexicans did not physically travel to the U.S., but became U.S. residents when political borders changed over their existing home.

Second Wave (Third Movement)

The movement from 1880 to 1920 averaging about a million people per year, bringing individuals from Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Russia, Asia (including Japanese), South America, and the Caribbean.

Ellis Island

The primary East Coast immigration station opened in 1892 where passports were checked for all incoming immigrants.

Angel Island

An immigration facility opened in 1910 in San Francisco, California for Asian immigrants that operated as a counting center, passport check, and holding center/jail.

Immigration Pause (1921-1965)

A period defined by immigration acts and laws that funneled and restricted incoming populations, during which significant internal relocation occurred via The Great Migration.

Third Wave (Fourth Movement)

The largest immigration movement spanning from 1965 to the Present, characterized by people arriving from everywhere to all parts of the U.S. via airports.

Post-1965 Immigration Limits

The annual legal allowances under the Fourth Movement, permitting approximately 1 million people for permanent residency and 5 to 6 million people for temporary status.