Immigration to the United States
Abbi Zalucky
During the 19th century, over 16 million immigrants coming from all over the world migrated to the United States in search of a better life. This immigration struck nativism in many people who believed that they were there first and new people weren't needed. Also during this time all immigrants faced numerous hardships such as speaking a different language, different beliefs systems and customs. Now we consider the United States a metaphorical "melting pot" because our country is made up of so many other nations ways of life that over this period of time we have assimilated making our society today extremely culturally diffused.
Old Immigrants
Between 1840-1880 these Old Immigrants came from Northern and Western Europe, England, Ireland, Germany and Holland. Push forces for these immigrants overpopulation, economic dislocation and political unrest. Pull forces were cheap land, employment opportunities and social mobility.
New Immigrants
During the mid 1880-1920 there was a great number of immigrants coming from Southern and Eastern Europe and Asia. Most of these immigrants came in search of jobs because of the industrial revolution. A great number of these immigrants were Catholic and Jewish who were in search of religious persecution.
My family
My great great grandparents Anna and Gaetano were New immigrants who came to Ellis Island at the end of 1920. new Immigrants faced strong resistance from nativism driven by prejudice. My great grandma Maria Loretta Margaret Mazzola Zalucky wrote about her and her families experience as immigrants coming to the U.S.
This project taught me just how important immigration really is. If immigration never occurred our country and way of life would be drastically different. I also learned a lot about my family history and it was pretty cool getting to hear all the stories from everyone.