Mass Migrations in the Nineteenth Century


Mass Migrations in the Nineteenth Century
Students post observations on a 1903 political cartoon about immigration to the United States. Then they define four categories of push-pull factors of migration: economic, political, cultural, and environmental. Next they analyze a map of global migrations between 1500 and 1914 and the role of industrialization in mass migrations. Finally they write an informational text about a sub-topic related to nineteenth-century migrations.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Here are the teacher pack items for Mass Migrations in the Nineteenth Century:

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Overview

In this experience, students post observations on a 1903 political cartoon about immigration to the United States. Then they define four categories of push-pull factors of migration: economic, political, cultural, and environmental. Next they analyze a map of global migrations between 1500 and 1914 and the role of industrialization in mass migrations. Finally they write an informational text about a sub-topic related to nineteenth-century migrations.

Depending on how much time you want to allow students for writing their informational text, you may assign this experience for a duration of more than one class period.

Objectives

  • Describe push and pull factors of migration.
  • Explain mass migrations of the nineteenth century.


Engage


The nineteenth century was a time of great change, as industrialization, transitions in economic systems, and colonization all affected society and governments. People often responded to this change by moving—to seek economic opportunity, to escape oppression, to live in friendlier climates. Some people migrated from rural areas to nearby cities, or to another region within their countries. Others boarded ships and sailed to unfamiliar lands. In this lesson you will learn about some mass migrations that helped shape the nineteenth century.

Objectives

  • Describe push and pull factors of migration.
  • Explain mass migrations of the nineteenth century.


cartoon showing an immigrant surrounded by men, each with his own agenda, such as Uncle Sam looking for factory workers

“The Immigrant,” 1903


Study the cartoon shown above. Click it to zoom in. The cartoon appeared in a U.S. journal in 1903, following a half-century of unprecedented immigration to the United States.


Describe what you see in the cartoon.

Post your answer

Summary according to the Ohio State University History Teaching Institute: “In the mid-1880s the number of immigrants to the United States from northern and western Europe declined sharply. At the same time, the number of immigrants from southern and eastern Europe greatly increased. The changing pattern of immigration concerned many Americans. Different perspectives on immigration are personified in this cartoon: Uncle Sam is looking for hard workers to fill the nation’s factories. The political boss wants the immigrant vote. The contractor is looking for cheap labor. The health inspector worries that immigrants carry contagious diseases. The worker fears lowered wages because immigrants were willing to work for less. The middle class man claims the new immigrants are a menace because they represent ‘inferior’ European ‘races’ and religions.”

Ask students: In your opinion, how does each character in the cartoon feel about immigrants?

If appropriate for your classroom, ask: Do you think that this cartoon is still relevant today?


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