Ch. 9 L2: Coming to California

Ch. 9 L2: Coming to California

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Land of Opportunity

• At the end of 1800s, many people came to California seeking new life.

• Some came to escape harsh conditions back home. Others came looking for gold or jobs on railroads and farms. All seeking for a better life for their families.

• When large numbers of newcomers move to a place it is called migration.

• People who move to a new country are known as immigrants.

Carlos Bulosan

• ​In 1898 the Philippines became part of the United States. Many people moved to the United States to the Philippines.​

• Carlos came to the US in 1930. He read that it was easy to earn a living and get an education in America. Everyone was treated fairly and equally.

• Carlos found work in California picking fruit. Reality was harsh. He did not find easy. Most immigrants were treated unfairly and were also paid less than others for the same work.

• Many immigrants stayed poor after moving to California. Many others did succeed. Today immigrants continue to come to California.

Angel Island

• The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was meant to prevent most Chinese immigrants from entering the country. However, many Chinese immigrants continues to come to California.

• Between 1910 and 1940, Chinese immigrants were stopped at Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. They stayed there until immigration officials decided whether they could enter the US.

• Chinese immigrants were allowed to enter if they had an immediate family member who was already a US citizen.

Living and Working in a New Land

• Immigrants started one of the most important companies in Hollywood.

• Samuel Goldwyn from Poland and Louis B. Mayer from Russia created a new film company.

• The company was called Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and it became one of Hollywood's biggest film studios.

Building Communities

• Mexican immigrants created their own communities within cities.

• In barrios, Spanish was spoken.

• Immigrant communities supported new immigrants by forming mutual aid societies. These groups helped immigrants find housing and jobs. The Mexican mutual aid societies were called mutualistas.

• Competition for jobs and differences in culture often led to feelings of dislike, or prejudice, against immigrants.

Migration to California

• California's population grew by almost 2 million between 1920 and 1930.

• Many African Americans migrated to California to escape the discrimination and prejudice they experienced in the South.

• Allen Allensworth knew the struggles of African Americans.

Allen Allensworth

• Born in Kentucky in 1842.

• During the Civil War, he escaped slavery and joined the Union Army.

• Retired from the military as the nation's highest-ranking African American soldier.

• Allen understood the struggles of African Americans.

Fill in the Blank

How were Chinese immigrants allowed to enter the United States?

Multiple Choice

Immigrants who came to California became rich and lived a comfortable life.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What were the Mexican mutual aid societies that helped immigrants find housing and jobs called?

• Mutantists

• Red Cross

• Mutualists

Multiple Choice

Where did the Chinese immigrants stay until they were let into the United States?

• Ellis Island

• Los Angeles

• Angel Island

• San Diego

Multiple Choice

Who founded the town of Allensworth?

• Mr. Lee and Mrs. Rivera

• Samuel Goldwyn and Louis B. Mayer

• Allen Allensworth and William Payne

• Ray Allen and James Worthy

Multiple Choice

People who move to a new country as known as ______?

• immigrants

• travelers

• tourists