The First Wave – US Immigration Before 1860

Glossary of Terms and Policies/LawsTerms Acculturation: Adapting to a new culture while retaining original elements. Cultural Pluralism: Valuing diverse cultural identities within a society. Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on race, religion, or ethnicity (e.g., “No Irish Need Apply”). Enclave: Neighborhoods like Little Italy where immigrants preserve traditions. Famine: Severe food shortage causing hunger, like the Irish Potato Famine (1845–1852). Immigration: Moving permanently to a new country, often to the U.S. in the 19th century. Industrialization: Growth in manufacturing creating urban job opportunities. Nativism: Favoring native-born inhabitants over immigrants, opposing Irish Catholics. Pull Factors: Conditions attracting immigrants, like jobs or freedom. Push Factors: Conditions driving emigration, like famine or persecution. Revolution of 1848: European uprisings for democratic reforms, prompting German emigration. Policies and Laws 1917 Immigration Law: Restricted illiterate immigrants from entering the U.S. American Protective Association (1887): Anti-immigrant group opposing non-Protestants. Angel Island (1910): West Coast station discouraging Asian immigration with long wait times. Chinese Exclusion Act (1882): Barred Chinese laborers; the first ethnicity-based restriction. Ellis Island (1892): East Coast center processing millions of European immigrants. Great Potato Famine (1845–1852): Irish starvation driving 1.5 million to emigrate. Homestead Act (1862): Offered free land to settlers, including immigrants, for farming. Indian Removal Act (1830): Relocated Native tribes, leading to the Trail of Tears. Know-Nothing Party (1855): Opposed immigration, especially Catholics. Statue of Liberty (1886): Symbol of hope, inscribed with “Give me your tired, your poor…” Trail of Tears (1838–1839): Forced Cherokee migration; 4,000 died from harsh conditions. Voting Eligibility for Immigrants: Allowed voting after five years, seen as a Nativist threat. Worcester v. Georgia (1832): Upheld Cherokee land rights; ignored by President Jackson.