Why People Came to America Several world events caused the major boom in immigration in the early 1900s Many European countries were experiencing land shortages poor economies or war People left their homelands to escape discrimination because of their race religion or political beliefs Crops were failing and families were starving People came to America in hopes of a better life Immigrants were attracted to the idea of independence in America The Declaration of Independence says All men are created equal It also promises Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness People took comfort in these words Newcomers believed America was a land of opportunity Number of ImmiGRANTS TO THE UNITED STATES Per Decade thousands 10 000 9 000 8 000 7 000 6 000 5 000 4 000 3 000 2 000 1 000 American recruiters helped spread the idea that opportunities were plentiful Businesses sent recruiters to Europe offering jobs to skilled workers Railroad
companies also advertised overseas They promoted cheap farmland and work opportunities MINNESOTA CURE FOR THE PANIC Emigrate to Minnesota Where no Banks exist a supension is unknown Land and Water of best kind No Ague and Fever there CLAIMS can be made by rich and poor THE MAN OF SMALL MEANS CAN SOON REACH COMPETENCY Climate dry and healthy The rich respect and assist the poor all labor together The finest Lands are open to pre emption Saint Paul is the great stopping place From there you can go to any point as emigrant settlers start daily to the various Laud Olioes and Districts T B W Thos E Sctroy Printer 142 Falton Street New York Advertisements such as this one boasting of the wonders of Minnesota drew immigrants to midwestern states
Chapter Two MISCONCEPTIONS OF AMERICA Immigrants often called the United States the promised land They had heard false rumors of streets paved with gold Many shared the belief that they would step off the ship to an easier life They trusted that land jobs and higher wages waited for them Immigrants were also told stories of hope and beauty In America life is golden sang Hungarian immigrant Renee Berkoff in 1922 In America the flowers are more beautiful In America the world is much better And that is where I am longing to be my dear However the reality of life in America was different than most expected City streets were crowded and chaotic The noise and all the languages were absolutely incomprehensible recalled Stephen Peters an immigrant who arrived in New York City in 1920
This New York City slum shows the type of living conditions many immigrants faced in the early 1900s Immigrants immediately faced challenges and discrimination Many drifted into the slums of cities and worked for low wages I came to America because I heard the streets were paved with gold said an Italian immigrant When I got here I learned three things First the streets are not paved with gold Second they weren’t paved at all And third I was expected to pave them
