Seeking a New Life

During the Gilded Age, millions of people came to the United States hoping for a better life. Many immigrants were escaping poverty, war, or unfair treatment in their home countries. They believed America offered jobs, freedom, and opportunity. From the 1880s to the early 1900s, this surge of immigration changed the country forever.

Why Immigrants Came

Many immigrants came from Europe—especially Italy, Ireland, Germany, Russia, and Poland. Some were farmers facing poor harvests, while others were factory workers hoping for better wages. Some, especially Jewish people, fled religious persecution. Steamships made travel faster and cheaper, so families could cross the Atlantic Ocean in just a few weeks.

The Opening of Ellis Island

On January 1, 1892, Ellis Island opened in New York Harbor as the nation’s main immigration station. When ships arrived, immigrants were taken to the Great Hall, also known as the Registry Room. Doctors quickly checked them for diseases, and officials asked questions about their jobs, money, and plans. Most were allowed into the country, but some were turned away.

Depiction of New York Harbor

Life in a New Land

Most immigrants stayed in large cities such as New York, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia. They often lived in crowded apartment buildings and took low-paying factory jobs. Many worked long hours in dangerous conditions. But they also built strong communities with their own languages, schools, newspapers, and traditions.

Challenges and Hope

Immigrants faced discrimination and unfair treatment. Some Americans feared that newcomers would take jobs or change the nation’s culture. Despite the challenges, most immigrants worked hard to build a better future. Their labor and ideas helped shape the United States into a modern nation.

Timeline

• 1880s – Large wave of immigration begins.
• 1892 – Ellis Island immigration station opens.
• 1900 – Over 400,000 immigrants arrive in one year.
• 1907 – Peak immigration year: over 1 million arrive.
• 1924 – New laws limit immigration to the U.S.

Glossary

• Immigrant – A person who moves to another country to live.
• Persecution – Unfair treatment because of religion, race, or beliefs.
• Registry Room – The main hall at Ellis Island where immigrants were processed.
• Tenement – A crowded apartment building, often unsafe or unsanitary.
• Discrimination – Treating someone unfairly because they are different.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did so many immigrants come to the United States during this time?
2. What challenges did immigrants face at Ellis Island and after they arrived?
3. How did immigrants help build American cities?
4. What do you think would be most difficult about starting a new life in a new country?