Why did people come to America from their original countries? What could it possibly have to offer those people? These are common questions that both come up and led both of our American classes. It was an important time for America, the time Gilded age of America. The time of potential for Americans and possibly new Americans.
Problems were coming up across the world. Religious prosecution and wars were just a couple of the things that people fled to America to get away from. America seemed to be a safer place that offered security (if you could get in) and an escape from poverty-stricken lives. America also offered job opportunities which we learned ended up becoming slim just like the living conditions.
My question for you all is; why do you think people were turned away from becoming first generation American citizens? Was it because of the opportunities (or lack of opportunities) or was it because the immigrants were different? Non-Americans.
I don't think that the lack of opportunity was the reason that people turned away from being first-gen Americans, since whatever opportunity America provided, however small, was likely better than back home. I think the reason is because of identity. Immigrants still identified themselves and were identified by their native lands, and assimilation is very much a process; it takes time, adjustment, and ultimately, acceptance to truly become American, and this was one of the hardest parts of the process.
ReplyDeleteI also think that it has to do with their identities. It takes time for one to assimilate into a society they have been recently introduced to. These immigrants carried history, traditions, beliefs, and ideas that not everyone was so keen to learn about. These immigrants came for a better life but not one without their identity.
ReplyDeleteAli, I commented on a similar topic at your blog, but let me say that I love the say you formulated your response: "...a better life but not one without their identity." That is a beautiful way to think of the hopes that many immigrants brought with them.
ReplyDeleteEven though america promised security, i think what most of the people came over for was because the idea of the american dream, going from rags to riches. Europe in these days was a very poor part of the world. There was a time when Norway was about as poor as some of the poorest countries in Africa. So to escape from that a lot of people would do anything for a second chance.
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