Many different people of many different cultures made the transition to American from whatever country/continent (mostly people from Europe) they originated from. They immigrated for many different reasons. Below, there are two different examples of what life might have been like for two different people.
An Irish ExperienceJournal Entry
We entered the boat with the idea that we would get away from the diseased potatoes and away from a diseased life. Many of us had perished and the death total in Ireland was slowly rising; I wasn't about to sit and wait to be another statistic. We hadn't been getting much nutrition and America sounded delectable to bite into. Although we didn't have much money to our name, we decided to pack up our belongings and board the boat that would start our new journey. There are many of us on this boat, stuffed, hopeful, and ready to endure whatever is thrown at us in this new land. About 1.5 million of us are taking the leap. "The Land of the Free" they call it; the land of the free I hope it shall be. After about a week and a half on this stuffy boat, we emerge onto what they call a "seaboard city." New York City, I believe they call it. Such a delightful name. The Statue of Liberty welcomes my family with a grin and gives me overwhelming faith: this has been a good decision. However, as the weeks drag on, we have not been able to gather up enough money to move west, where they have more land for less price and more opportunity for farming. We are stuck in New York, crammed in a slum. I never thought that the six of us could share a one bedroom house, nevertheless many families sharing one bedroom. Life is hard for the Irish. We're discriminated against because of our religion and our race. I've been a Catholic all my life, believing in the same things that these Protestants believe in (or at least the same idea that there is a God) and they think that they are better than us? Not to mention the way it bugs me after my wife comes home after a horrible day in the kitchen being someone else's maid so tired that she can't even bare to look at a kitchen utensil to make our supper. Some people even call us "Biddies" and "Paddies!" What's up with that? We lost more lives on the job today as per an explosion that happened on the track. We work hard every day at a job that is one of the only things we can get, thanks to NINA (No Irish Need Apply). Laying rail work that leads to places that my salary will never get me to. What a thought to think about! I can't even give my children a proper education. But I do hear of some good news. Us Irish are starting to gain a name in this town through politics. Many are interested, including myself. We've even gathered enough support to take control of some of the major businesses throughout the town of New York, including Tammary Hall. Some of us are even making it big being police officers; though some call it "Paddie Wagons." Slowly but surely, we're beginning to make a name in this town and my odds are looking upwards. I've finally saved enough money to spread my wings and fly like the grand American flag. Although it was tough, I've finally learned the meaning of "The Land of the Free." |
A German ExperienceJournal Entry
Guten Morgen! How do you do? My family and I are moving to America, the great old vast plane of America. It's going to give us many opportunities that we can't get here. I've got enough money to start a farm in the coveted West, and things sure are looking up for us! Like the Irish that I've heard about, there are many of us taking the chance on a brand new country. Probably over a million of us, to be exact. We've settled in the small land of America that they call Wisconsin. Our goods are modest but allow us to begin tilling land for a farm. My family is heavily educated and support the building of public schools. We also have a great interest in politics. However, our vote isn't as potent as others, say the Irish again, because our kind decided to spread out instead of stay in one place there or another place here. Many of us are against slavery. We've started a trend here with our Christmas tree. Many American's are now putting them up to celebrate the birth of Christ. Speaking of music and laughter, we love the arts and hope to influence our lives into the ones that are already around us. However, some of us rowdy folk need to keep it down with the beer drinking. We're starting to spark fires within the government. I heard that they're speaking of temperance to control our drinking! |