The Great Wave of Immigration in the United States (1890-1920)

The Great Wave of Immigration: 1890-1920

The period from 1890 to 1920 in the United States is often referred to as the Great Wave of Immigration. During these three decades, the nation welcomed around 18 million new residents, largely fueling the labor demands of the Second Industrial Revolution. These immigrants, many of whom found employment in burgeoning industries such as manufacturing, mining, and construction, played a crucial role in the country's economic expansion. Despite their contributions, immigrants frequently endured difficult living and working conditions and faced discrimination and xenophobia. This era was characterized by a significant demographic transformation, with immigrants constituting nearly 14 percent of the U.S. population by 1900, predominantly from Eastern and Southern Europe.

Old Immigrants Versus New Immigrants

The immigrants of this era were often distinguished as "old" and "new" immigrants. The "old" immigrants, who arrived before the 1880s, mainly came from Northern and Western Europe, particularly Germany and the British Isles. They typically had some financial resources, possessed skills that were in demand, and were predominantly Protestant, which facilitated their assimilation into American society. Many settled in rural communities. In contrast, the "new" immigrants arriving from the 1880s onward were primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe, including Italy, Russia, the Balkans, and Poland. These individuals often arrived with limited financial means and little knowledge of English, seeking work in the United States with the intention of eventually returning to their homelands. Their transient nature and cultural differences made their assimilation more challenging, leading to the moniker "Birds of Passage" for those who planned to return after earning money.

Immigration Policies of the Early 20th Century

The surge of immigration in the early 20th century led to the implementation of increasingly restrictive immigration policies by the U.S. government. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers, marked the beginning of such legislation. The Immigration Act of 1917, also known as the Asiatic Barred Zone Act, introduced literacy tests and a head tax, effectively barring immigrants from much of Asia and parts of Europe. Subsequent laws, including the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and the Immigration Act of 1924, established quotas that limited immigration based on national origins. These quotas were a reflection of the prevailing racism and nativism of the time, aiming to preserve the existing ethnic composition of the American population.

Irish and Latin American Immigration in the 20th Century

Irish immigration to the United States began in earnest during the mid-19th century, largely as a result of the Great Famine. By 1930, approximately 4.5 million Irish had emigrated to America. Initially, they occupied low-wage, unskilled jobs in urban areas but gradually gained political power, particularly within the Democratic Party and organizations like New York City's Tammany Hall. Concurrently, immigration from Latin America, especially Mexico, grew due to both the allure of economic opportunities in industries such as railroads and agriculture and the push factors like the Mexican Revolution. However, the onset of the Great Depression in the 1930s significantly reduced immigration from Latin America as economic conditions worsened and employment opportunities dwindled.

Motivations and Effects of 20th Century Immigration

The influx of immigrants during the 20th century was driven by various factors, including the search for economic opportunity, the desire for religious freedom, and the pursuit of improved living conditions. The industrial and agricultural sectors in the United States offered numerous employment opportunities, though immigrants were often subject to exploitation and harsh working conditions. They established ethnic enclaves, such as Chinatowns and Little Italies, which provided a sense of community and cultural preservation. The rapid population increase contributed to urbanization and associated challenges, such as overcrowded housing and inadequate sanitation. The cultural shifts and the presence of diverse immigrant groups also sparked isolationist and nativist sentiments among some segments of the American populace, who viewed the newcomers with suspicion and feared the influence of foreign ideologies.