Questions and Answers
What were some reasons for leaving one's homeland?
What years did immigration to the U.S. via Ellis Island primarily occur?
1860-1920
What was the main purpose of Ellis Island?
It was the main immigration center for the United States.
Immigrants typically paid $_____ for the one-way passage to America.
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Immigrants were not allowed to leave their belongings in the Baggage Room when arriving at Ellis Island.
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What was the first test immigrants faced upon arrival at Ellis Island?
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What ailments did doctors focus on during the medical exam at Ellis Island?
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Single women could leave Ellis Island without a male relative.
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What tool did doctors use to check for trachoma during the exam?
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What nickname was given to the area where families often parted ways?
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Immigrants had to possess $_____ to enter the United States after 1909.
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Study Notes
Immigration Factors
- Homelands often faced religious persecution, economic hardships, and political oppression.
- Immigrants came from diverse countries, including Ireland, Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Poland, China, and places with Jewish populations.
Ellis Island Overview
- Served as the primary immigration processing center for the U.S. from 1892 to 1954.
- Located in New York Harbor, it was the starting point for many immigrants on their journey to American citizenship.
Journey Details
- One-way passage to America typically cost $50.
- Most traveled in steerage, the lowest deck of steam-powered ships, often surrounded by challenging conditions and odors.
Arrival Procedures
- Upon arrival, immigrants received numbered tags for identification.
- Belongings were left in a Baggage Room and retrieved upon exit from Ellis Island.
Processing Station Experience
- Immigrants faced a steep climb to the Great Hall as their first test.
- Medical exams started known as the "six second medical exam," assessing various health issues.
Medical Examination
- Doctors performed brief inspections focusing on ailments like cholera, favus, mental impairments, and trachoma.
- The use of a button-hook to check eyelids for trachoma was a painful but necessary procedure.
Legal Inspection Process
- After medical exams, immigrants waited in the Great Hall for legal questioning regarding personal details.
- Single women required a male relative's presence to leave Ellis Island.
Final Steps and Departure
- Immigrants descended the "Stairs of Separation," where many families faced separations.
- Most immigrants left Ellis Island via ferry to New Jersey or Manhattan; approximately 2% were deported.
- Processing time took about 3-5 hours before immigrants could continue their journeys.
Money Exchange Regulations
- Immigrants could exchange their homeland currency for American dollars.
- After 1909, a law mandated that each immigrant have $20 to enter the U.S., facilitating transport to their final destinations.
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Description
Explore the history of immigration to the U.S. through Ellis Island from 1860 to 1920. These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the experiences of immigrants who faced religious persecution, economic hardship, and political oppression. Learn about the diverse backgrounds of those who made their way to America seeking a better life.
