Immigration is when people move from their home country to live permanently in another. Over 17 million Europeans arrived in the U.S. between 1880 and 1910! Learning about these waves explains why the United States is such a wonderfully mixed and unique country today.
Have you ever moved to a new house, school, or town? Imagine moving to a whole new country! That’s what immigration is all about!
Immigration is when people move from their home region to live in another country. Throughout U.S. history, the country has seen many exciting waves of people coming from all over the world. These new Americans often came looking for greater opportunities, like better jobs or a safer place to live for their families. The story of the United States is truly the story of immigration—it’s what made America so wonderfully mixed and unique!
Mira says:
"Wow, I never thought about how every single person here—maybe even your family—has a story about traveling far away to make a new start. It takes so much bravery to leave everything you know behind!"
What Are 'Push' and 'Pull' Factors?
Why would someone take a super long and sometimes scary trip across the ocean? Think of it like this: there are reasons that *push* people out of their homes and reasons that *pull* people toward a new place.
The reasons that *push* people away are often tough stuff, like not having enough food (famine), war, or being treated unfairly because of who they are. These are called Push Factors!
The reasons that *pull* people to the U.S. are the good things they hope to find here, like freedom, better schools for their kids, or jobs that pay well. These are the amazing Pull Factors!
Mind-Blowing Fact!
Before the United States was even a country, the very first European settlers came in waves! The largest group in the early days were often Protestant English-speakers from the British Isles.
The Great Waves of Immigration
America’s history of welcoming newcomers is like a giant set of waves! Each wave brought different people and changed our country in new ways. For example, the first big *Atlantic* wave really got going in the 1840s, with lots of folks coming from Ireland and Germany.
Later, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, a second huge wave brought millions more from Eastern and Southern Europe. 17 million Europeans entered the U.S. between 1880 and 1910 alone!
(First official processing station)
(Between 1892 and 1924)
(1907)
How Did Immigrants Arrive at Ellis Island?
For many immigrants in the busiest times, the journey across the Atlantic Ocean was long and tough. They often traveled in a section of the ship called 'steerage,' which was crowded and uncomfortable—sometimes packed in like animals!
But the arrival at New York Harbor was often magical! They would see the Statue of Liberty, a giant symbol of freedom, which gave the place a special nickname: the 'Island of Hope.'
The Ellis Island Inspection Process
Once they landed, they had to go through a strict inspection process to see if they could enter the U.S. Immigrants had to answer about 29 different questions!
Doctors checked everyone for sickness—this was called the medical exam. If someone was too sick or seemed like they couldn't support themselves, they might be sent back home. This part was scary and earned the island the nickname the 'Island of Tears' for those who were rejected.
💡 Did You Know?
The very first immigrant to step foot on Ellis Island when it opened on January 1, 1892, was a 17-year-old girl named Annie Moore from Ireland! There is a statue of her on the island today!
🎯 Quick Quiz!
What were the reasons that *pushed* people to leave their home countries?
Who Came, and What Did They Give Us?
Today, almost 100 million Americans can trace their family back to someone who came through Ellis Island! But even before the official station, people came as indentured servants who worked to pay for their boat trip.
Immigrants bring so many amazing things to America, like new foods, music, languages, and incredible ideas. Famous people like Albert Einstein and Arnold Schwarzenegger were immigrants who made huge contributions!
- New Foods: Think of pizza, tacos, or dumplings—all brought by immigrants who shared their delicious traditions!
- New Skills: Immigrants were key workers building canals, railroads, and starting new factories.
- New Cultures: They added new holidays, music, and ways of looking at the world, making the U.S. richer!
Even though the journey was hard, and sometimes people were treated poorly when they first arrived, immigrants kept coming because they believed in the promise of a better future for their children. That hope is what built America!
Questions Kids Ask About American History
Keep Exploring the Melting Pot!
Every time you meet someone new, remember that they might carry a story of immigration with them! Understanding this history helps us appreciate how diverse and strong the United States has become. Keep learning how your own family story fits into the amazing American adventure!
