Daily Life in Immigrant America, 1820-1870 (The Greenwood Press Daily Life Through History Series: Daily Life in the United States)

Early nineteenth century America saw the first wave of post-Independence immigration. Germans, Irish, Englishmen, Scandinavians, and even Chinese on the west coast began to arrive in significant numbers, profoundly impacting national developments like westward expansion, urban growth, industrialization, city and national politics, and the Civil War. This volume explores the early immigrants' experience, detailing where they came from, what their journey to America was like, where they entered their new nation, and where they eventually settled. Life in immigrant communities is examined, particularly those areas of life unsettled by the clash of cultures and adjustment to a new society. Immigrant contributions to American society are also highlighted, as are the battles fought to gain wider acceptance by mainstream culture. Engaging narrative chapters explore the experience from the viewpoint of the individua, the catalysts for leaving one's homeland, new immigrant settlements and the differences among them, social, religious, and familial structures within the immigrant communities, and the effects of the Civil War and the beginning of the new immigrant wave of the 1870s. Images and a selected bibliography supplement this thorough reference source, making it ideal for students of American history and culture. Overview: Early Nineteenth Century America Saw The First Wave Of Post-independence Immigration. Germans, Irish, Englishmen, Scandinavians, And Even Chinese On The West Coast, Began To Arrive In Significant Numbers, Profoundly Impacting National Developments Like Westward Expansion, Urban Growth, Industrialization, City And National Politics, And The Civil War. This Volume Explores The Early Immigrants' Experience, Detailing Where They Came From, What Their Journey To America Was Like, Where They Entered Their New Nation, And Where They Eventually Settled. Life In Immigrant Communities Is Examined, Particularly Those Areas Of Life Unsettled By The Clash Of Cultures And Adjustment To A New Society. Immigrant Contributions To American Society Are Also Highlighted, As Are The Battles Fought To Gain Wider Acceptance By Mainstream Culture. Engaging Narrative Chapters Explore: A Focus On The Experience From The Viewpoint Of The Individual; The Catalysts For Leaving One's Homeland; New Immigrant Settlements And The Differences Among Them; Social, Religious, And Familial Structures Within The Immigrant Communities; The Effects Of The Civil War And The Beginning Of The New Immigrant Wave Of The 1870s. Images And A Selected Bibliography Supplement This Thorough Reference Source, Making It Ideal For Students Of American History And Culture. Overview: Immigration By The Numbers, 1820-1870 -- Leaving Home, 1820-1845 -- Across The Atlantic And Into America, 1820-1845 -- Immigration At High Tide, 1845-1854 -- Developing Immigrant Communities, 1820-1855 -- Changing Immigrant Cultures, 1820-1855 -- Political Turmoil And War, 1850-1865 -- Into A New Era, 1865-1870. James M. Berquist. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [287]-299) And Index. Contents......Page 6 Series Foreword......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Chronology......Page 14 1. Overview: Immigration by the Numbers, 1820-1870......Page 22 2. Leaving Home, 1820-1845......Page 42 3. Across the Atlantic and into America, 1820-1845......Page 80 4. Immigration at High Tide, 1845-1854......Page 120 5. Developing Immigrant Communities, 1820-1855......Page 160 6. Changing Immigrant Cultures, 1820-1855......Page 202 7. Political Turmoil and War, 1850-1865......Page 234 8. Into a New Era, 1865-1870......Page 280 Glossary......Page 302 Bibliography......Page 308 Index......Page 322