New Immigrants Vs. Old Immigrants

• Who They Were
• Reasons for Immigration
• Contribution to USA
• Old Vs. New Immigrants
• Issues Faced

The old immigrants made up the early waves of settlers who came to establish their lives in America. These people came to the U.S. in the early 1800s, from European countries such as England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, and Sweden―basically from places that were English territories. A significant number of these immigrants were Africans, who were brought over as slaves. The old immigration era lasted till the mid 1800s.

The new immigrants were the settlers arriving in America in the latter half of the 1800s. These people arrived in the period of rapid and dramatic industrial development post the Civil War. The new immigrants were from a variety of countries, such as Italy, Poland, Russia, Croatia, China, and Japan. The new immigration era lasted till 1920.

The old immigrants came to the U.S. for a variety of reasons, which ranged from political to economic to social.

• Many immigrants came to America in search of fair governance. Many countries during that time were practically ruled by the elite, and it was always the common man who suffered. Hence, people chose to break free from the chains of autocratic rule and hope for a life where the common man too had a voice.
• Most of the old immigrants moved to America for economic progress and development. America had a lot of land and resources which were yet to be utilized, and which could mean economic success for those who hadn’t had the proper opportunities to achieve the same, yet. The dream of a prosperous life led many to establish their lives in America.
• Another portion of the immigrant population moved for social and cultural reasons. Many were from countries that did not allow religious freedom, unlike America. The Pilgrims, the Quakers, and many more communities immigrated to the U.S. in search of religious freedom.

The new immigrants too moved to America for a variety of reasons. Though the reasons of the two groups seem to differ, the essence of these reasons is similar.

• The new immigrants feared oppression based on the grounds of religion in their homelands, especially in countries like Ukraine and Russia. The purpose of their immigration was to seek refuge from any torture and unfair treatment meted out to them back home.
• Many southern and eastern European countries experienced dwindling economies, which gave rise to extreme poverty and unemployment. Immigrants from these countries were in desperate need of jobs that would help them and their families survive, which is what brought them to America. The period of rapid industrial and economic development, the Gilded Age, was an added attraction.
• America was famous for producing entrepreneurs and millionaires who had risen out of dire poverty, worked hard, and made excellent lives for themselves. It was perceived to be the land of dreams, the land of opportunity, and the land of success. This perception was firmly embedded in the minds of countless immigrants who made their way to America to create better lives.

The old immigrants played a key role in the development of America, as along with them, they also brought over different ideas, cultures, and traditions with them. The English immigrants were known to shape the governance, the language, and the unique culture of the country. Similarly, immigrants from Ireland played an important role in the construction of rails and roads in the country. Additionally, German immigrants brought with them the knowledge of technology and brilliant education systems.

The new immigrants too, have contributed significantly to the US. The variety of ethnic groups, different religions, and different cultures have made America the culturally diverse melting pot it is today, where such different people come together to live harmoniously. These cultural influences are apparent in the music, art, and social life in America. Take, for instance, the Chinatown or the Little Italy parts of every major American city.

Though the old immigrants themselves were new immigrants once upon a time, they did not take too kindly to the newer people arriving in the country, which they were now well-settled in. The differences between the two categories of immigrants were apparent, and they largely contributed to the lack of unity between the two groups for a long time. Given below are the basic differences observed between old immigrants and new immigrants.

When the old immigrants arrived in America, there were anti-immigrant feelings and reactions from the Natives. However, the intensity of these reactions was not nearly enough to create major obstacles for the wave of the early settlers.

The new immigrants faced quite a number of issues when they arrived in America, particularly from the old immigrants who feared that these varied ethnic groups would destroy the ‘pure’ American race, take their jobs, and overcrowd their cities. There were cultural clashes in terms of the languages spoken, the type of food eaten, and the customs and traditions that were followed by the two groups. The new immigrants were discriminated against and had to work at unsecured jobs which demanded harsh labor and poor wages. Further, restrictive and anti-immigration laws were passed in order to severely restrict the entry of immigrants in the country.