Analyze causes and effects of immigration; explain the political, economic, social, and environmental factors that contribute to human migration; understand the social and cultural impact of immigrant groups on American society.

Between 1830 and the early 1900s, America experienced large waves of immigration. Chinese immigrants found employment working on railroads; German immigrants established homesteads in the Midwest; and Irish immigrants settled in urban enclaves of the Northeast where they found work in factories. Along with opportunity, however, new immigrants often encountered racism, prejudice, and political injustices. In addition, the United States limited the number of people allowed into the United States from certain countries. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which prohibited Chinese workers from entering the United States, is one example of this. It was not until 1965 that Congress revised immigration laws. Today, immigration continues to change the population mix of America. By 2050, demographers project that Hispanics will account for 21.1 percent of the population; Asians and Pacific Islanders will compose close to 11 percent; and African Americans will represent 16.2 percent. The number of people classified as “non-Hispanic white” will fall from 75.5 percent in 1990 to about 53 percent in 2050.

• CA  11.2: 4; 11.5: 2; 11.11: 7 Historical Interpretation: 1
• TX  113.32(2): c; 113.32(5): a; 113.32(10): b; 113.34(7): b; 113.34(18): a; 113.38(1): b
• FL  SS.A.1.4: 4; SS.A.5.4: 2
• NCSS  I(HS): e, f; III(HS): h, i

2 class periods

• Activity Sheet, Immigration in America
• Graphic Organizer, Cause and Effect Chart
• Analytical Essay Rubric

Use the instructions below to guide students in writing an Analytical Essay.

How has immigration shaped American society?

Cause and Effect Students will write an Analytical Essay in which they examine the impact of immigration on American society. Students will research the factors that have led to the immigration of different populations to the United States, and the political, economic, and cultural effects that have resulted.

Have students research the topic using the provided links. Encourage them to use the suggested graphic organizer as they read the articles.

This table shows the number and origin of people immigrating to the United States, 1870–1900.

To start students thinking about immigration and its impact on American society, have them examine the table.

Key questions students should answer are:

• Which countries’ number of immigrants changed most dramatically between 1870 and 1900?
• What factors do you think caused the number of immigrants from certain countries to rise or decline?

Distribute the Student Activity sheet. Tell students that they will write an essay examining the ways in which immigration issues have affected American society over time. Students should consider the following topics as they compose their essays.

• Reasons for Immigration
• Origins and Characteristics of Immigrant Populations
• Impact of Stereotypes and Nativism
• Immigration Laws and National Quotas
• Settlement Patterns
• Labor Issues
• Religious Diversity
• Illegal Immigrants
• Demographic Changes in American Population

Remind students that they should connect these topics to the historical effect of immigration in shaping not only the American population, but also ideas about diversity and tolerance.

Use the Analytical Essay Rubric to assess students’ performance.

Have students reflect on their performance and use the list of expectations to judge how well they met the criteria.

Ask students: How has immigration changed the face of America? What are the benefits of diversity?

Memoir Have students use Daily Life through History to write a fictionalized memoir of a person who immigrated to America in the mid-19th century.

Critical Thinking: APPLY