Chapter 18, Student Web Activities, The American Republic to 1877, Glencoe, 2005

Social Studies, The American Republic to 1877

Chapter 18: Reshaping the Nation
"Immigrant Life in America"

Introduction
In this chapter you have read about the changing face of America's cities. Immigrants from "new" countries moved to the United States to escape persecution and economic hardships. Other immigrants were drawn to America by the promise of wealth and opportunity. Many of these new Americans, however, found poverty, hardship, and discrimination. In this activity you will take a closer look at the Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco Bay.

Destination Title: Angel Island

Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window.
Need help using your browser for this activity? Click here for tips.

Directions
Start at the Angel Island home page.

Scroll down to find the heading "Points of Interest."
Click on Immigration Station and read the information presented.

Use the information on the site to answer the following questions.

1. When did the Angel Island Immigration Station open? Why was it built?

2. What was the difference in processing time between Ellis Island and Angel Island?

3. What were "paper sons" and "paper daughters"?

4. How did many detained immigrants express their feelings?

5. Pretend that you were an immigrant detained for several weeks on Angel Island. Write a poem that you might have brushed or carved on the wall. Express your feelings about leaving your homeland, being detained on this island so close to the land of opportunity, or your dreams for a new life.