Immigration before Independence:

→ Why is English, rather than French or Spanish, the major language of the U.S.?

-During the 1500s, French and Spanish explorers visited the New World. But the first Europeans who came and stayed were English.

-In 1790, about 75% of these first Americans were of British ancestry.

-The British gave the new it's language laws, philosophy of government.

Immigration from 1790 to 1920:

→ What historical development in the U.S. stimulated immigration?

Potato crop failures in Ireland stimulated Irish Immigration. Germans came to escape economic and political difficulties.

→ What problems in Europe stimulated emigration?

The Industrial Revolution and the westward movement gave new immigrants an important role in the nation's economic development.

Immigration since 1920:

-During WorldWar I, immigration declined due to traveling difficulties. The need for immigrants.

-During 1920s: the first quota law.

-From 1930 to 1945, the legal limits and World War II kept immigration to a minimum.

-When the war ended, immigration rose sharply.

→ Why does the U.S. need immigration restrictions?

In the twentieth century, the U.S population grew at a very rapid rate. By 1920, the population had reached 100 million cause population explosion.

The Hispanic Population:(Native speakers of Spanish)

-The 2ndlargest cultural minority (32 million people)

-The most rapidly growing minority group - the U.S. largest ethnic minority group - the U.S. largest ethnic group by 2020 - Spanish being used in the media in the U.S.

-3 largest Hispanic groups: Mexicans, Puerto, Ricans, and Cubans.

→ What historical events caused the U.S. to acquire a large Spanish-speaking population? Name at least three.

Mexican:

§ Mexicans helped establish Los Angeles and many other settlements in the Southwest (that later became major American cities.)

§ When the Mexican-American war ended in 1848 the peace treaty gave the U.S. more than 525,000 square miles of territory in the Southwest. Mexican living in this area were granted U.S. citizenship.

Puerto Rican:

§ In 1878 during the brief Spanish-American war, the U.S. won Puerto Rico from Spain.

§ Puerto Rico has what is called a commonwealth status with the U.S, government.

§ Disagreement about political goals for the island exists.

Cuban:

§ Most Cubans came as exiles during or after 1959 when Fidel Castro took over and the country became communist.

Illegal Aliens:(people living in the U.S without proper authorization)

Who?

§ Sneak across the border.

§ Come on temporary student or visitor visa and do not leave when their visas expire.

Why?

§ Employment opportunities.

Restriction? A new law

§ (1) illegal aliens = U.S. citizens

§ (2) discourage illegal immigrants: difficult to find employment.

→ Why has it become more difficult for an illegal alien to get a job?

In 1986, the U.S government adopted a new law affecting illegal aliens. The law prohibits American employers from hiring illegals and provides for severe penalties - fines and even imprisonment - if they do so.

Many Contributions of Immigrants:

1. The English language and the British legal system.

2. Religious persecution, political oppression, economic hardship.

3. The U.S. is a nation of immigrants, immigrants have many important contributions to American life.

AFTER YOU READ:

I. Getting the Message:

a) Write the letter of the phrase that correctly completes each sentence:

1. John F. Kennedy wrote A Nation of Immigrants before he became president.

2. Americans speak English because the majority of the American colonists were English.

3. The U.S. today has more African - Americans than Hispanics.

4. Puerto Rico is a U.S. commonwealth.

5. Compares the U.S. to a salad bowl because immigrants tend to keep many traditions from their native country.

b) Answer questions:

1. What did British immigrants give to the U.S.?

English language and the British legal system.

2. What three main situations have brought immigrants to the U.S.?

Religious persecution, political oppression, economic hardship.

II. Building Your Vocabulary:

1. Refugees come to the U.S. after they flee from their native country because of religious or political persecution.

2. People who leave their native land and come to live in the U.S. are called immigrants or resident aliens.

3. A passport is issued by a traveller's native country. A(n) visa is issued by the country the traveller wishes to enter.

4. Travellers should leave the country before their visa expires.

5. Refugees are people who come to the U.S. for protection and safety. If they returned to their native country, their lives might be in danger.

6. Two words that refer to the cruel treatment of a group of people are persecution and oppressions.

7. From 1920 to 1970, the population of the U.S. increased from 100 million to 200 million. In other words, the population doubled.

8. One common reason or native for coming to the U.S. is to earn more money.

9. At some ethnic festivals, food and handmade items representing many foreign countries are sold.

10. A person who can speak two languages is bilingual.

IV. Understanding Idioms and Expressions:

1. An immigrant's homeland is sometimes referred to as the old country.

2. Because the U.S. is a nation made up of people from many different countries, it has been called a(n) melting pot or a(n) salad bowl.

3. The number of people living in the U.S. increased a great deal in a short time. This was called a(n) population explosion.

4. To attract Europeans to the U.S., the country was advertised as a(n) land of opportunity, where workers could find good jobs.

5. Many immigrants come to the U.S. to get higher-paying jobs so that they and their family can have a higher standard of living.

6. From time to time means something happens occasionally and repeatedly.

7. When conditions were bad in some European countries, many people moved to the U.S. American immigration took a(n) great leap.