The Journey to America

*By the 1870s steam powered ships replaced sailing ships.  They were bigger, faster and safer.  Immigrants in the early 1800s had to endure voyages averaging 40 days, depending on weather; by the 1900's  the average voyage was only one week.

* Immigrants from Europe came to the East coast, especially NY; which   was the "Golden Door", processing 70% of immigrants.  The first center, Castle Garden, on Manhattan, was created in 1855.  By 1892, Ellis  Island replaced it.

Ellis Island

Immigrants entering Angel Island

*Immigrants from Asia arrived in Seattle or at Angel Island in San Francisco *Conditions still tough: poor sanitation and food, dangers like fires, shipwrecks, disease (cholera and typhus) - Many immigrants were 3rd class passengers (a.k.a. steerage passengers)   -immigrants paid about $30 for the passage   -conditions very crowded (especially with their luggage)   -passengers seldom allowed on the deck   -usually given soup or stew, sometimes bread, biscuits, or potatoes   -only salt water available for washing; rancid 'drinking water' stored in dirty casks   -sometimes considered 'human cargo'   -ships brought goods to Europe, returned with immigrants Arrival: *Even after the tough voyage, immigrants were not guaranteed entry to America.  About 250,000 people (2%) were sent back home.  1st and 2nd class passengers were inspected on the ship, but 3rd class passengers had to go to Ellis or Angel Island for screening, which meant: -about 3-5 hours of waiting in line -medical inspection   • check for diseases (especially Trachoma, a common eye infection)   •  physical check-up   • mental testing (including math and puzzles) -legal inspection   • documentation from original country   • marital, social, economic status questioned   • changed names such as Andrjuljawierjus to something simpler   • after 1917 Immigration Act; literacy test required

View of the Statue of Liberty encountered by arriving immigrants

Characteristics checked for in medical examination. The letters were written in chalk on the immigrant's clothes to mark for further examination.

P R O C E E D.