The History of the United States, 2nd Edition Season 1 Episode 57 The New Immigration
- TV-PG
- October 6, 2003
- 30 min
The History of the United States, 2nd Edition season 1 episode 57 titled "The New Immigration" explores the wave of immigration that came to the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This episode highlights the various factors that led to mass migration from countries such as Italy, Poland, and Russia, including famine, poverty, and political unrest.
The episode delves into the struggles that new immigrants faced upon arrival in America, including language barriers, discrimination, and difficult working conditions. Viewers will learn about the push and pull factors that led to migration and the impact that it had on the country's economy, society, and political landscape.
The episode also takes a closer look at the immigrant experience through the eyes of notable figures such as The Jungle author Upton Sinclair and labor activist Mary Harris "Mother" Jones. Interviews with historians and scholars shed light on the cultural impact that new immigrants had on American society, including the emergence of new ethnic neighborhoods in large cities such as New York and Chicago.
Throughout the episode, viewers are given a glimpse into the complexity of the immigration system during this time period, including some of the measures that were taken by the U.S. government to limit immigration from certain countries and the cultural and linguistic assimilation policies that were put in place.
Overall, "The New Immigration" provides an in-depth look at one of the most pivotal periods in American history. This episode shows how the influx of new immigrants from different parts of the world forever changed the country's demographics, culture, and politics and how their struggle helped to shape the modern American experience.