History of Immigration

African Slaves

Apr 1, 1619

People of the African decent were being shipped to Jamestown (United Stated) to be used as slaves. They were owned by the white plantation owners and didnt gain freedom up untill 1873.

Anti-Quaker Immigration

Jul 27, 1656

At this time in period, people were trying to stop the beliefs of the Quakers. In order to stop the growth of these people they were being imprisioned and whipped to death. (All colonies follwed these laws other than Rhode Island.)

Massachusetts Prohibits From Entering

Mar 12, 1700

"Lame, impotent, or infirm persons" were seen as people to cause threat to the colonies. This was one of the colonial immigration laws.

Transportation Act of 1717

Oct 20, 1717

British convicts were being sent to America as a new form of "punishment." They felt this was a better solution than hangging so 70% of British convicts (36,000) were brought over to serve their time.

Tax and Health Inspections

Apr 25, 1727

People asumed that ignorance to the American language and culture made them a fear to society. With that being said, immigrants were forced to be inspected for sickness on their ship prior to entering and forced to pay a fee.

Article of Confederation

Apr 25, 1781

The Articles of Confederation had a big influnce on immigration because it stated that each state had the right to deal with this issue rather than being a federal law. Each state handeled this issue differently.

Naturalization Act of 1795

Feb 19, 1795

Prior to this act, people who wanted to become a citizen must be a resident for 2 years but after the passing of this act the amount of years was raised from 2 to 5. This changed the immigration process.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Aug 21, 1798

President John Adams signed these laws into office in order to increase residency requirements from 5 years to 14 years. Any person causing crime here was depored under these laws.

Congress Reduces Policy

Sep 12, 1800

Shortly after the Alien and Sedition Acts, congress decides to reduce the 14 year residency back to 5 years. First it started off with 2 years, than 4, than 14, but now back to 5.

Slavery Becomes Illegal

Mar 4, 1808

Now in the constitution the 14 Amendments grants citizenship to all persons born in the United States which results in the ending of slavery.

Irish Immigration

Nov 25, 1816

At this time 5 million Irish came to the United States. They had a huge impact on the economy and brought their different beliefs and cultures such as the Catholic religion.

Homestead Act

Apr 25, 1862

The government was selling land at very cheap prices to both citizens and immigrants. This gave the immigrants a chance to own their own land and start a future.

Great Wave

Jun 16, 1880

The huge rush of European's were coming to the United States. At this time a big increase of Jewish people were coming and it was estimated that 560,000 immigrants were entering per year.

Angel Island

Mar 15, 1910

This was created to stop the flow of Chinese people coming to America. It was an Immigration Station that examined every person coming into the US.

Post Mexican Revolution

Apr 25, 1910

Due to the Mexican Revolution, the amount of Mexicans coming to the US from Mexico increased. Mexico's economy was doing bad so America offered many jobs and oppertunity which attracted immigrants.

9/11

Sep 11, 2001

After the tragic incodent that happened on 9/11, the security on borders were more strict. Military was sent to each border spots to stop terrorists from coming in but it also made it harder for immigrants.