In the nineteenth and twentieth century Irish Immigrants came to Ellis Island to start their new lives in America. Immigrants from all over traveled far distances to start a new life, and believed that America would help them. A writer by the name of Irving Howe wrote about the experiences that immigrants faced when reaching Ellis Island. He titled his work “Ellis Island”. In order to live in America, you first had to meet the requirements at Ellis Island. Immigrants had to undergo many tests which include eye exams, mental exams which were given by asking questions, and their private parts were checked as well.
After meeting these requirements they were able to pass through and start their new lives in America. Most of these immigrants had high expectations for their new lives in order to put the troubles of Ireland in their past. Although their outcomes differed. Some were able to come earn their living and live happy, while some struggled greatly, and many suffered far worse conditions than if they had stayed in their homeland. Due to being called upon for the Parliamentary Fund, many families in Ireland struggled to make a living. That is why America served as a positive alternative for living.
When coming to America some found that their lives changed for the better. A women commonly called Aunt Jane came over in the steerage of a Ocean Sidewheeler. (“Aunt Jane” must move from barge office gate: she has a little”) Aunt Jane was said to be a smart women and from reading about her you could tell she had ambitions. These characteristics lead to easily finding a job. After having a job she realized that she wanted to start her own business with Fruit and Peanuts. She obtained permission from the Treasury Department at Washington.
The Essay on Immigrants Ellis Island
The first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty was an emotional experience remembered for life for the immigrants approaching New York Harbor. Engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty are the words from Emma Lazarus's poem, 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.' The French sculptor, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, designed the statue. It was intended as a ...
Other Irish immigrants were stuck working in mines. (“Roosevelt Finds Mine life better”) Roosevelt went to the homes of these miners to see their conditions. The conditions were so bad that Roosevelt believed these homes should be eradicated. Many families lived in one area, leading to worse conditions. Also in the article it was said that although the conditions have improved over time, they are not at all satisfactory. In the article titled Against irish Immigration, it is said that although the conditions in Ireland may be bad, they you must stay there if you can.
This is due to the fact that with all the immigration, America won’t be much better for the immigrants. In order to emphasize the point the article used the phrase “the devil you know is less to be dreaded than the devil you don’t know”. Which i believe means that although you don’t like your life in Ireland, you don’t know what may come of your life if you were to go to America. Life in America was different for all immigrants. Although immigrants come up with their own expectations for how their life will be, it doesn’t mean it will really turn out that way for them. Life was different for most of them.
