Lives for immigrants were not easy. Many immigrants escaped for freedom.  Between 1900 and 1924, almost 26 million people came to the United States.  Almost 9 million immigrants entered in the first decade of the 20th century, close to 6 million people came in, in 1910, and 4 million people came in, in 1920.  About 2 1/2 million people were also immigrants from the 1900's to the 1920's, because of religious persecution who were Jewish that came from Eastern Europe.

    From 1901 to 1910,   8,795,386 immigrants immigrated to the United States.  From 1911 to 1920, 5,735,811 immigrants immigrated to the United States.  From 1921 to 1930, 4,107,209 immigrants immigrated to the United States.  About 700,000 Mexicans were immigrants during 1910 to 1920, because of the Mexican Revolution of 1910.  They also came because of low wages and unemployment.  The Immigration Act of 1917, however, prevented many from coming to the United States.

    The greatest number of immigrants occurred between the 1840's to the 1920's.  In 1921, Congress established a quota system for immigrants.  Quota means the share or proportion assigned to one group.  The Immigration Act of 1924  was also known the National Origins Act.  It made tougher quotas for immigrants calling them "less desirable".

 Looking at the Numbers:

    Italy had 4,600,000 people immigrating to the United States, the Austro-Hungarian Empire had 4,000,000 people immigrating to the United States, the Russian Empire had 3,330,000 people immigrating to the United States, the German Empire had 2,800,000 people immigrating to the United States, Britain had 2,300,000 people immigrating to the United States, Ireland had 1,700,000 people immigrating to the United States, and Sweden had 1,100,000 people immigrating to the United States.

      In the late 1880's, a woman by the name of Jane Addams, came up with the idea of Hull Houses.  Hull Houses were places that provided education.  They taught English as a second language.  This helped many kids to fulfill their life long dream of having a better life.

     In the 1900's, many families entering the United States went to live in cities.  New York and Chicago were popular choices because these cities had jobs and often immigrants knew someone there. Immigrants worked long hours for little pay to stay alive. Many of their children went to work in terrible conditions just to earn enough money to survive.  They had to work instead of getting an education.

    By 1920, 1 out of every 4 people was an immigrant.  Most immigrants spent their life savings to come to America on dirty overcrowded ships.  After immigrants passed through Ellis Island, they usually lived in places with six or seven other families.
 

   Some Brief Words About Germany, World War II and the Holocaust
   Holocaust (original meaning) "a sacrificial offering that is completely burned."
    It has now come to mean the complete destruction of a people.

     No discussion of immigration can take place without mention of a terrible period in the 20th century that has come to be known as the holocaust.  This human tragedy began before World War II and continued through the war.   No description here will do the topic justice, but the beginning of an awareness among young students is essential.  We have discussed the holocaust below only in recognition of the terrible events and acknowledge that this is a topic for study apart from the personal stories we have brought to this site.   It is with this need to acknowledge in mind that we write the words below and hope children will consider the topic and related literature a subject to be studied in its own right.

    Adolf Hitler's plan for Germany during World War II was to dominate the world and to eliminate Jews.  Others who disagreed with him were also imprisoned and worse.  Millions were put to death as part of his plan.  There is no way to describe the terrible things that took place in what became known as concentration camps (death camps) run by the German Nazis.   Hitler rose to power through a group called the National Socialist German Workers Party.  He quickly rose to power and the group became known as the Nazis. Hitler began speaking to the public, telling Germans that their poverty and misery should be blamed on others, especially the Jews.  He also told them that Germany was the greatest country in the world and that they should conquer the others.  Many believed him and membership in his party started to grow. On November 8, 1923,  Hitler and 2,000 of his "storm troopers" tried to storm the government.   When he failed he was sent to jail where he began a book that described his "struggle".  It was called "Mein Kampf" ("My Battle") and was read widely years later by Germans during World War II . 5 years.

    Hitler did not get wide support until 1929, as life in Germany became more and more difficult.  There was a worldwide depression and the Germans struggled in daily life . More and more Germans joined the Nazi Party.  Those who did not want to join were threatened.  Hitler blamed successful Jews for taking advantage of Germans and for contributing to their poverty.   In 1932, Hitler became Chancellor [head of the government], against the wishes of many politicians who correctly feared he would become a dictator.
 

    On January 30,1933 officially took Hitler took office as Chancellor and began passing laws that eliminated freedom of the press and controlled labor unions political parties.   Concentration camps (death camps) were created for those who opposed Hitler.  Germany's military became very strong. He organized parades, rallies, and even bonfires on the beach. Young people were given something to believe in as well as membership in the Nazi Party which was seen as patriotic. Hitler used these rallies to impress and persuade the German people. Many tried to leave Germany, but others could not believe that people would let such terrible things happen.  Many of the Jews who stayed in Germany did so because at first they were sure that Hitler would not succeed with such terrible plans.  Once it became clear that many would die under Hitler, it was too late to escape, and people were rounded up and sent to the death camps.  When Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, France and England declared war on Germany.  World War II officially began.

    During the war, Hitler convinced people that he had a brilliant plan. He promised to give a poor nation a prosperous future. He organized a powerful military with himself as leader. Then he named his enemies: Jews, communists, people with disabilities, homosexuals, as well as anyone who opposed him. Hitler took their money, valuables, property, clothes and even the gold in their teeth.

     First, these "impure Germans" were put in ghettos where they were forced to work.  Later, if they were healthy, they were taken to concentration camps and put to 17 hours of work per day, with only a small piece of bead and some soup for an entire week. Those who became sick were killed. Six million Jews died, and 11 million Germans altogether. During the Holocaust, some people went into hiding; some people were even fortunate enough to escape and immigrate to countries that would accept them.   This was not the finest hour for the United States.  The United States did not allow many who escaped by ship to enter the United States.  Those years stand as an embarrassing period in U.S. history.

    At the end of World War II  American soldiers came to learn the truth of Germany's horrible acts when they came across the death camps.  It was then that Americans fully came to understand and believe what actually had happened.  Many of those who were freed from the death camps were helped by American soldiers and eventually came to settle in the United States.

    We must learn from these events so that we can try to prevent them from ever happening again.
    During terrible world events, many people have sought refuge in the United States.  People have come to this country for a better life and for a future for their family members.  Many of our families have come here for those reasons, and for the freedom this country gives its citizens.    It is with this in mind that the creators of this site tell their family stories.

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