Transcript Ellis Island - EllisIsland

Ellis Island
Immigration
Coming to America
Coming to America
• The First Immigrant Landed on Ellis Island
January 1, 1892
• When 15-year-old Annie Moore arrived here from
Ireland on this day in 1892, she was the first person to
enter the United States through Ellis Island. As the
boat she was on drew closer to her new home, she
must have seen the Statue of Liberty, whose torch
rises 305 feet above the waters of the New York
Harbor. The statue is on an island next to Ellis Island.
• Can you guess how many people entered the United
States through Ellis Island?
Coming to America
More than 12 million people entered the United States through the
Ellis Island immigration center from 1892 to 1954.
For 62 years people came to Ellis Island from around the world
because they wanted to become American citizens. After the boats
docked, immigrants would disembark and walk into the Registry
Room where they would see doctors who would check if they had
any physical problems and officers who would look over their legal
documents.
Once they were given the OK to enter, the immigrants were allowed
into the United States.
Were there other ways to enter the U.S. at this time?
Coming to America
Nearly half of all Americans have ancestors
who came here through Ellis Island, but this
was only one of many ports of entry for ships;
some others were Philadelphia, Boston and
Baltimore.
Coming to America
• Seymour Rechtzeit was eight years old in
1920, when he left his home in Poland and
journeyed to America.
• Why do you think he came, and what
happened when he arrived?
Coming to America
• Seymour Rechtzeit family decided that he
should come to America, where there would
be more opportunities for him.
• World War I had just ended, and it was a bad
time in Europe.
• They boarded a ship called The Lapland. It
was 1920, and he was on his way to America.
Crossing the Atlantic
• Riding on a big boat across the Atlantic Ocean may
sound like fun, but it wasn't. The two-week trip was
miserable! The room was in steerage, way down in
the bottom of the boat. It was lined with bunks, one
on top of the other. It was uncomfortable and
crowded. The only way to get fresh air and move
around was to go to the top deck.
• There were many bad storms at sea. The weather was
unpredictable. Many people arrived with severe colds.
But even a cold could not help the feeling of
happiness when they saw the Statue of Liberty.
• Back then, immigrants had to pass a medical
examination to be allowed to enter the country. Many
people were sent back to where they came from if
they did not pass the examine.
Everyone up top to see the Statue!
History of the Statue of Liberty
• Students: What can you tell me about the Statue of
Liberty?
• The Statue of Liberty, officially Liberty Enlightening
the World, was designed by French sculptor FrédéricAuguste Bartholdi and completed in July 1884.
Working with dreams of the famous figure over a
decade before its completion, Bartholdi produced a
number of miniaturized working models.
• On the 4th of July, 1884, The 151 feet (46 meters) tall
225 ton Statue of Liberty was delivered to the
American Ambassador in Paris.
Immigration
• What is Immigration?
• Ever since its founding in 1776, and even before then,
the United States has attracted immigrants from
around the world. For well over two centuries, people
have flocked under this nation's protective wings as
opportunists, sojourners, missionaries, refugees, and
even illegal aliens.
• The U.S. has long since been a refuge of the world,
with opportunities abound and freedom for all. Over
time, millions around the world have found
emigrating to the U.S. as the only alternative to
starvation, death, or a life full of hardship and
suffering.
• With thousands from nations spanning the globe,
America has become a mosaic of people, culture, and
hope.
Immigration
1. What worldwide events may be responsible for the
doubling of the U.S. immigration population from the
1890s to the 1900s?
2. What might have caused the decline of immigration
to the U.S. throughout the 1930s?
3. Historically, from which three countries have most of
the immigrants to the U.S. come? During which
decades did most of these immigrants come into the
U.S.? Choose one country. What was happening
during these time periods that might have caused the
high number of immigration?
4. Why have so many immigrants come to the United
States?
Immigration
Immigration
Ellis Island
• Students:
Can you tell me what you already know about Ellis
Island?
• Ellis Island was named for Samuel Ellis, a New York
land developer who bought it in 1782. On January 1,
1892, this little island became home to a new
Immigration Station Ð one which would eventually
become the most important immigration station in
United States history.
Five years later, all of the buildings on Ellis Island
burned down. On December 17, 1900, a new
fireproof, brick and stone facility was built.
Ellis Island
• Ellis Island is a symbol of America’s
immigrant heritage. From 1892 to 1954, this
immigrant depot processed the greatest tide of
incoming humanity in the nation’s history.
Nearly twelve million landed here in their
search of freedom of speech and religion, and
for economic opportunity.
Ellis Island
• To many it was the Island of Hopes, but to
those unfortunate souls who were turned away
form the golden door, Ellis was the Island of
Tears.
• The process of inspection was a nerve-racking
ordeal. Immigrants, especially large families,
feared not reaching certain qualification and
being separated from family members.
• The entire process included dozens of tests,
questionnaires, examinations, and interviews.
It was no wonder many immigrants identified
Ellis Island with fear and agitation.