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Lesson

Immigration in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era

Duration
120 min
Published
Nov 5, 2020
Historical illustration showing a large crowd, with the text "12 New Americans A Minute" prominently displayed.
The late nineteenth century experienced one of the largest mass migrations in history, tens of millions of immigrants came to America from Europe, Asia, and North America. Immigrants settled in the United States primarily for economic opportunity afforded by the growing industrial economy and faced challenges upon arriving. The influx of so many immigrants changed American culture and presented unique tensions in American society, leading to a debate over immigration, citizenship, and the restriction of immigration.

Founding Principles

Limited Government, Rule of Law, Liberty, Natural/Inalienable Rights

Objectives

  • Students will identify what it means to be an immigrant and discover what was involved in the process of immigration.
  • Students will investigate the impact immigration had upon the United States socially and economically.
  • Students will assess the arguments given for and against the restriction of immigration.

Materials

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: Immigration Experiment Discussion
ActivityHandout B: Immigration in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era
ActivityHandout C: The Challenges of Assimilation
ActivityHandout D: Selections from Henry Cabot Lodge’s Speech in the Senate March 16, 1896
ActivityHandout E: Selections from the President Grover Cleveland’s Veto Message
ActivityHandout F: Immigration in the Progressive Era
ActivityHandout G: Critical Thinking Questions
ActivityHandout H: Immigration Today
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Lesson plan

120 minClick a phase to open it

Key Terms

Migration
Immigrant
Ancestral
Arduous
Push factor

Standards

Advanced Placement

  • National

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