The Great Wave
American Immigration: 1880 - 1900
Start
Objectives and standards
I can explain the major push and pull factors of immigration in the late 1800s I can describe the challenges immigrants faced during ocean voyages I can analyze the differences between Ellis Island and Angel Island immigration stations
8.3.9.C: Analyze continuity and change in United States history (1787-1914) 8.3.9.D: Identify and analyze conflict and cooperation among social groups CC.8.5.9-10.C: Analyze in detail a series of events; determine causation
Desired Result
What were the experiences of immigrants coming to the U.S. in the late 1800's and early 1900's?
Share in the chat box
Where did your family come from?
Start
Follow
Why did they come to america?
Pull Factors
PUsh factors
Why the U.S.?
Why People Left Their Homes
Jobs in factories and mines
Lack of food or money
Political or religious persecution
Better living conditions
Overcrowding in European cities
Adventure and "The American Dream"
Where did they come from?
life at sea
The Atlantic Crossing
Most immigrants traveled on steamships
Journey from Europe took 7-14 days
Longer from Asia (up to 4 weeks)
Living Conditions
Food and Health
Weather
By Chasseport Deborah
Take on a virtual tour on Ellis Island
- Click on the number you want
- Complete your worksheet
Photos: The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc./National Park ServiceVideos: The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc./National Park Service
Stop 1: The Passage
A girl was the first one to enter Ellis Island
1886
Stop 2 : The Arrival
Stop 2 and 3: The Arrival and the baggage room
Officers wearing uniforms greeted the ferryboat as it docked at Ellis Island. They shouted and motioned to the passengers to walk down the gangplank to the main building. The officers passed out numbered identity tags. The people who did not speak English were often unsure what the officers were saying. The commotion was overwhelming. Men, women, and children struggled off the boat carrying trunks, cloth sacks, and suitcases. They followed one another along a path and entered the imposing red brick building.
Wearing their numbered tags, the immigrants entered the Baggage Room on the building's ground floor. They left their precious belongings here until their inspection was done. Next, the immigrants went up stairs to the Registry Room. That is where the medical and legal inspections took place.
Stop 4: The Stairs
The immigration process began on the winding stairs that led to the Registry Room. Doctors stood on the second floor and watched each person. They looked for people who had trouble walking or breathing or showed signs of other health problems.
Stop 5: The Registry Room
A uniformed doctor looked for any signs of illness or contagious diseases. The doctor noted whether the immigrants limped or were short of breath, if their eyes were red, if they acted disturbed or seemed otherwise abnormal.
Stop 6: The medical exam
If someone was considered a risk to the public health, his or her clothes were marked by a piece of chalk with an identifying letter. An "X" denoted insanity. A "P" denoted pulmonary (lung) problems. Immigrants who were marked were taken out of the line and kept for further examination. Immigrants who passed the six-second exam continued through the maze of metal rails toward the far end of the hall for the legal inspection.
Stop 6: The medical exam
Stop 7: the legal inspection
Stop 8: The Detainees
For most people, Ellis Island was the "Isle of Hope." But for the unfortunate few who failed the health or legal inspections, it was the "Isle of Tears."
Legal detainees lived in a dormitory room on the third floor. They might wait a few days or even a month. Then their case would be reviewed in the Hearing Room.
People who were detained for medical reasons were cared for at the island's hospital or kept in quarantine. Some were treated for weeks, or even months. Eventually, a Board of Special Inquiry would review an individual's medical report and decide whether to allow him into the United States or to send him back.
Stop 9: The stairs of separation
Stop 10: The kissing post
An area on the first floor of the building became known as "the kissing post." It got that nickname because it is where family and friends waited for their loved ones. After months or years apart, they kissed and hugged and shouted with joy and relief. For the immigrants, the long journey was finally over. They were in America.
Famous characters and datas
Steerage class (lowest deck):
Cramped spaces (hundreds of people)
Wooden bunks stacked 2-3 high
Only 2 feet of space per person
Little fresh air or light
Shared toilets (often just buckets)
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
Limited food options:
Basic bread and soup
Brought own dried foods
Water often became stale Health issues: Seasickness affected most passengers
Disease spread quickly
No proper medical care
Dangers on the Ocean: Rough seas
Storms
Cold temperatures
Welcome to Ellis Island.
More than 12 million immigrants made their first stop in America at Ellis Island Immmigration Station between 1892 and 1954. In fact, more than 40% of Americans can trace their family history back to Ellis Island.
- Follow in the immigrants' footsteps
- See historical photographs and films
- Read fascinating facts
- Discover the central role of this station in American history
The Great Wave
Steve Sweder
Created on September 30, 2025
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Transcript
The Great Wave
American Immigration: 1880 - 1900
Start
Objectives and standards
I can explain the major push and pull factors of immigration in the late 1800s I can describe the challenges immigrants faced during ocean voyages I can analyze the differences between Ellis Island and Angel Island immigration stations
8.3.9.C: Analyze continuity and change in United States history (1787-1914) 8.3.9.D: Identify and analyze conflict and cooperation among social groups CC.8.5.9-10.C: Analyze in detail a series of events; determine causation
Desired Result
What were the experiences of immigrants coming to the U.S. in the late 1800's and early 1900's?
Share in the chat box
Where did your family come from?
Start
Follow
Why did they come to america?
Pull Factors
PUsh factors
Why the U.S.?
Why People Left Their Homes
Jobs in factories and mines
Lack of food or money
Political or religious persecution
Better living conditions
Overcrowding in European cities
Adventure and "The American Dream"
Where did they come from?
life at sea
The Atlantic Crossing
Most immigrants traveled on steamships Journey from Europe took 7-14 days Longer from Asia (up to 4 weeks)
Living Conditions
Food and Health
Weather
By Chasseport Deborah
Take on a virtual tour on Ellis Island
Photos: The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc./National Park ServiceVideos: The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc./National Park Service
Stop 1: The Passage
A girl was the first one to enter Ellis Island
1886
Stop 2 : The Arrival
Stop 2 and 3: The Arrival and the baggage room
Officers wearing uniforms greeted the ferryboat as it docked at Ellis Island. They shouted and motioned to the passengers to walk down the gangplank to the main building. The officers passed out numbered identity tags. The people who did not speak English were often unsure what the officers were saying. The commotion was overwhelming. Men, women, and children struggled off the boat carrying trunks, cloth sacks, and suitcases. They followed one another along a path and entered the imposing red brick building. Wearing their numbered tags, the immigrants entered the Baggage Room on the building's ground floor. They left their precious belongings here until their inspection was done. Next, the immigrants went up stairs to the Registry Room. That is where the medical and legal inspections took place.
Stop 4: The Stairs
The immigration process began on the winding stairs that led to the Registry Room. Doctors stood on the second floor and watched each person. They looked for people who had trouble walking or breathing or showed signs of other health problems.
Stop 5: The Registry Room
A uniformed doctor looked for any signs of illness or contagious diseases. The doctor noted whether the immigrants limped or were short of breath, if their eyes were red, if they acted disturbed or seemed otherwise abnormal.
Stop 6: The medical exam
If someone was considered a risk to the public health, his or her clothes were marked by a piece of chalk with an identifying letter. An "X" denoted insanity. A "P" denoted pulmonary (lung) problems. Immigrants who were marked were taken out of the line and kept for further examination. Immigrants who passed the six-second exam continued through the maze of metal rails toward the far end of the hall for the legal inspection.
Stop 6: The medical exam
Stop 7: the legal inspection
Stop 8: The Detainees
For most people, Ellis Island was the "Isle of Hope." But for the unfortunate few who failed the health or legal inspections, it was the "Isle of Tears." Legal detainees lived in a dormitory room on the third floor. They might wait a few days or even a month. Then their case would be reviewed in the Hearing Room. People who were detained for medical reasons were cared for at the island's hospital or kept in quarantine. Some were treated for weeks, or even months. Eventually, a Board of Special Inquiry would review an individual's medical report and decide whether to allow him into the United States or to send him back.
Stop 9: The stairs of separation
Stop 10: The kissing post
An area on the first floor of the building became known as "the kissing post." It got that nickname because it is where family and friends waited for their loved ones. After months or years apart, they kissed and hugged and shouted with joy and relief. For the immigrants, the long journey was finally over. They were in America.
Famous characters and datas
Steerage class (lowest deck): Cramped spaces (hundreds of people) Wooden bunks stacked 2-3 high Only 2 feet of space per person Little fresh air or light Shared toilets (often just buckets)
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
Limited food options: Basic bread and soup Brought own dried foods Water often became stale Health issues: Seasickness affected most passengers Disease spread quickly No proper medical care
Dangers on the Ocean: Rough seas Storms Cold temperatures
Welcome to Ellis Island.
More than 12 million immigrants made their first stop in America at Ellis Island Immmigration Station between 1892 and 1954. In fact, more than 40% of Americans can trace their family history back to Ellis Island.