3-5 Elementary Industrialization and Immigration Video

0:00 Welcome young historians. Get ready for an exciting story about advancing technology and the movement of people. Two themes that have echoes today. We will follow the life of a young person who was impacted by big changes, and see how their story ties into America’s.

0:21 Are you ready? Our story begins about 200 years ago, with millions of courageous people leaving their homes and embarking on a long journey across the ocean to reach the land of opportunity. From the beginning, the United States was a beacon for immigrants

0:42 seeking freedom, opportunity, and a chance at a better life. From the early British colonists in the 1600s to immigrants fleeing famine and revolutions in the 1800s, each group brought with them their hopes, dreams and aspirations for a brighter future.

1:03 technologies in communication like the telegraph and transportation like the steam engine, created opportunities and improvements in travel that enabled larger numbers of people to consider emigrating or leaving their home countries to come to the United States.

1:28 One such person was Andrew Carnegie, who came to the United States in 1848 with his family hoping to find work in a booming industrial economy. Andrew quickly found work at the same cotton mill where his father was hired. Andrew began as a bobbin boy.

1:49 His job was to bring rolls of ready thread to the seamstresses and textile machines. Then he became a telegraph messenger boy, and soon an operator. Over time and through hard work, he became secretary for a large railroad firm,

2:10 then superintendent of the railroad company. From watermills to steam engines. The technologies and industry of the age impacted every stage of Andrew Carnegie’s career. Despite facing many challenges, Andrew worked hard and became one of the wealthiest men in history

2:32 thanks to his determination and love for learning. Carnegie is just one example of the immigrants who came to the United States in the 1800s. Millions of immigrants arrived in America

2:54 They went through processing centers like Ellis Island in New York and Angel Island in California, where they had to check in before entering the country. Once in America, immigrants settled on farms, worked hard in factories, built railroads, and helped shape cities like New York,

3:16 Pittsburgh, and San Francisco. They brought with them their languages, foods, and customs, enriching American culture. But life wasn’t easy for immigrants. Immigrants who worked on railroads and factories could be injured by heavy equipment or become sick from inhaling dust.

3:40 Their jobs were often difficult or dangerous in many other ways, too. Immigrants also faced discrimination and prejudice from some native born Americans Despite the challenges, many immigrants were successful and made a life for themselves.

4:01 but not only themselves. Their actions built communities and opportunities for others. And many like Andrew Carnegie, gave back to their communities, funding libraries, starting colleges, building hospitals and other charitable institutions.

4:23 Advances in technology and the availability of land in the United States created economic opportunities that pulled people like Andrew Carnegie towards America. At the same time, various world events like population booms, famines, and revolutions

4:45 pushed individuals to find opportunities outside of their own countries. Together, this movement and industrialization reshaped the United States. In the end., innovation, technology, and the actions of a diverse group of ordinary people from all around

5:05 the world played a vital role in shaping the America we know today. Americans owe our unique culture and vast industries we have today to the courageous Americans of the 1800s.