The Huddled Masses

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It is estimated that a million people left the European Content during the years 1887 and 1888 alone. Roughly twenty million men and women entered the United States during the forty-one year period The Huddled Masses covers. The push pull factors for the people entering America are numerous. Among the popular reasons for many to leave their home is population growth in the migrants home country. As well as religious persecution and political oppression. Particularly towards those of Jewish ancestry. Though natural disasters rarely cause emigration they often act as a catalyst or the last push someone needs to leave their home. Birds of passage is the term often referred to those men who came to the Americas for seasonal work. In typical cases …show more content…
They often had to travel in indirect routes in order to circumvent the anti-Semitic policies of some nations. After 1891 law required that the steamship companies vaccinate, disinfect, and examine their immigrant passengers prior to their sailing. The process was undignified but many choose it rather than be turned away. Close proximity, poor air quality, high expenses incurred even while on board. Changing their customs to the demands of their environment. After a long journey immigrants who landed on Ellis Island have not finished their journey. The people go through a series of inspections. Including hands, eyes, and throats being thoroughly examined. Anything that could prevent an emigrant from being a productive worker was noted such as heart problems, mental disability, or any physical disability. All who failed to pass the initial test were herded. If improvement after a few days did not occur they would typically be kept at Ellis Island under poor …show more content…
There is no true pure blood American yet that does not stop anyone from bashing immigrants. It is as true today as in the nineteen hundred. Nativists, or those who believe that immigrants pose a threat to the American people find any number of reasons for not wanting migrants in their home. The most typical being that they the immigrants are here to steal their jobs. Typically these jobs are ones no “American” wants to work. However, that does not stop the train of thought.
Among other reasons for not wanting to allow immigrants is the concern with issues such as how to preserve American nationalism, political democracy, protect individual liberties, maintain a certain level of respect for the law, protect public health, and preserve the Anglo-Saxon race. The most ironic of these would be to protect the public health. Considering that Native Americans were practically killed by diseases brought by the Europeans. However, this is only a small group of people who opposed immigrants for such bigoted

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