New Cultures
Lesson 26
Immigrants are people who move to another country so that they can make a new home there. Sometimes they are looking for better jobs others need safety from wars or violence in their old countries. Because of the Gold Rush, many people thought of California as a place of wealth. Many also heard about the warm weather and rich farmland.
Many immigrants came to the United States from Europe. They came from countries such as Ireland, Germany, Armenia, Portugal, France and Sweden. Often the immigrants from Europe settled on the east coast of the United States first. Immigrants were often treated unfairly and the few jobs they could find didn’t pay well; so these immigrants decided to come to California where they hoped to find the life they had been looking for when they first came to the United States.
Other immigrants crossed the Pacific from Asia. The first Asian immigrants came from China. They came for the Gold Rush but then helped build the Transcontinental Railroad. Later immigrants came from Japan and the Philippines.
Many of the immigrants who came to California were discriminated against. Discrimination is mistreating a group of people because of their appearance. The California Indians were forced onto reservations. Many died from lack of food and disease. Asian immigrants had to stop at Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. Many spent days, weeks and even a year or more waiting to see if they would be allowed into California. Even after all that time, many were sent back to their homeland.
Many of the immigrants who came to California were discriminated against. Discrimination is mistreating a group of people because of their appearance. The California Indians were forced onto reservations. Many died from lack of food and disease. Asian immigrants had to stop at Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. Many spent days, weeks and even a year or more waiting to see if they would be allowed into California. Even after all that time, many were sent back to their homeland.
The immigrants who came helped to change California. We can see their influence in our landmarks, important places, street names, foods and literature. The United States has been called a “melting pot” of different people. This means people from different countries and cultures have come together to live. They work together, learn from one another and create a place where everyone can share in the American Dream.
Activities
Activities
1. Identify countries where immigrants came from on a map: Ireland, Germany, Armenia, Portugal, France, Sweden, China, Japan, Philippines
2. On a map of California show where immigrants from these countries settled in California.
3. Match items we see in California with country from which they came.
4. German School Cone (I have kids make cones and then have a parent fill them while we're outside on break. I hand them out at the end of class.)
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5. Chinese cherry blossom lantern or dragon
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