Immigration in the Nineteenth Century

Immigration in the Nineteenth Century

            The continuous flow of immigrants into the United States has considerably impacted individuals, families, and the state as a whole. Empirical studies show that Early immigrants were mostly from Northern and Western Europe and later from Southern and Eastern Europe. The United States of America, for instance, is renowned as the ‘land of immigrants’ from the first colonist to modern-day immigrants. Immigration underlined the second Industrial Revolution, and Westward expansion made the population of the US grow and move, and Manifest destiny ultimately got realized. This paper examines the effect of immigration on the lives of immigrants and the industrialization of the United States.

Throughout history, early immigrants have faced several challenges in the United States. Even though they lived comfortably in the unseeingly uncomfortable shelters, ignorance and suspicion resulted in prejudices among the Italian immigrants. As a result, these individuals found it difficult to live or take an innate position in the community. They became considered as reckless, dishonest, and bloodthirsty population, and police units got ordered to watch over them carefully. Besides, immigrants into the United States took odd jobs to raise sufficient wages to take care of their families and to pay for their rent. Amid such struggles, the poor work environments predisposed the minorities to health complications, which eventually resulted in death.

Even though the lives of immigrants got characterized by imminent hardship and cultural assimilations, they have considerably adapted to meet the challenges of the increasingly industrialized culture and society. To adapt, the Italian immigrants, for instance, imitated and acted land spoke like Americans..

Industrialization considerably contributed to the rise and development of cities, as well as a town in the United States. The dramatic increase in immigrants in the US substantially transformed the economy of America. The immigration era saw the development of European settlements in America. Shelters in Shantyville, for instance, were built of boards and covered with tarpaper. The immigration era also allowed the United States to transition to an agricultural economy. With the eradication of the colonial economy, industrializations also facilitated the rise of the manufacturing and processing economy. Currently, the industrial revolution has transformed America into a knowledge-based economy. These economic transformations have helped the United States adapt to new realities of the economy, and as well prompted immigration.

The dramatic increase in immigration and the establishment of Indians, Mexicans, and other European settlers in the United States increased the population of the region. It served as the primary source of the young workforce, thereby resulting in economic productivity. However, the native Americans were against the idea of immigration and the invasion of North America by foreigners. Extreme measures, therefore, got established to clear the native populations like Italians and Mexicans from the land. For instance, violent extermination and forced removal from the town got employed by brutal officers who watched over these minority groups. In the nineteenth century, it got contended that North America was intended for the United States, and hence the Manifest Destiny.

Conversely, immigration patterns have gone drastic changes in the United States. Several regulations and restrictions have become reinforced. Police officers received help from organized Vigilants to ascertain the law got upheld. The parents to immigrants paid the price to see progress in immigration. For instance, they had to adapt to the strange and new conditions put in place. The introduction and the emphasis placed on adult education virtually eradicated the misunderstanding of cultures and helped curb disrespectful and cruel attributes among the Italian youths. Besides, individuals accused of a crime could be sentenced or hanged without trial recourse by jury. The civil war era got characterized by hasty judgments with innocent persons suffering from the wrongdoing of others. Laws did not get enforced, and the course of the law typically became delayed. After the civil war, the minorities saw the establishment of movements like the Quantrell’s Organization, also referred to as the Vigilants. The organizations played a vital role in ensuring the upholding of the law. This organization plays a crucial role during the Reconstruction era and mainly made Texas unsafe for criminals.

Further, Jane Adams is a social reformer who has significantly impacted the lives of immigrants. Together with Hull-House residents, Adams provided several services to the immigrant communities, including daycare and kindergarten facilities, employment opportunities, and educational programs. For instance, Mexicans and African Americans received citizenship classes (Lundblad, 661). Notably, several reformers or organizations advocating for immigrants exist in the present era. FIRM is a national coalition of several organizations coordinated by the Center for Community Change, which recognizes the severe impact of the United States’ immigration system. The organization has a considerable commitment to bringing about social change, particularly on immigrants and their families. FIRM fights for immigrants’ rights both at the federal and state level. Currently, the organization is activating the immigrant community and denouncing the proposed changes to the Flores Settlement Agreement, thereby giving protection to children in ICE detention. FIRM plays a crucial role in keeping families together, particularly the individuals struggling with the severe effects of the United States’ immigration system (FIRM).

Works Cited

Fair Immigration Reform Movement. “Who is FIRM?” 2018. Retrieved from <https://fairimmigration.org/>

Library of Congress. “An Interview with Roland Damiani.”. Retrieved from <http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/progress/immigrnt/damiani.html>

Library of Congress. “Worked in a Rag-shop near Hull House.” Retrieved from <http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/progress/immigrnt/saranoff.html>

Library of Congress. “Interview with Leroy Dean, TX.” Retrieved from <http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/civilwar/recon/lroydean.html>

Lundblad, Karen Shafer. Jane Addams and Social Reform: A Role Model for the 1990s. Social Work, 40(5) 1995, pp. 661–669.