Primary Source Learning: Immigration Primary Source Set

Food will win the war - You came here seeking freedom, now you must help to preserve it - Wheat is needed for the allies - waste nothing
Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about immigration to the United States. (For background information, review the following: Immigration to the United States, 1851-1900 and Immigrants in the Progressive Era). The story may be in digital or print form. It could be nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or even a song. These questions about immigration can help you get started. Then click on each thumbnail image below to access the full size primary source. You may also use this primary set for a found poetry activity.


Italian bread peddlers, Mulberry St., New York

Italian bread peddlers, Mulberry St., New York

 Immigrant children, Washington School. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Immigrant children, Washington School Boston

 Four immigrants and their belongings, on a dock, looking out over the water

Four immigrants and their belongings
Held at Ellis Island--undesirable emigrants to be taken back by steamship company that brought them

Held at Ellis Island—undesirable emigrants

 Iran Hostage Crisis student demonstration, Washington, D.C.

Iran Hostage Crisis student demonstration

 School children, half of Polish and half of Italian descent, at a festival in May 1942, Southington, Conn.

School children, 1/2 Polish and 1/2 Italian descent
New York, New York. Italian-Americans on MacDougal Street relaxing on Sunday

Italian-Americans on MacDougal Street

 New York, New York students pledging allegiance to the flag in public school eight in an Italian-American section

New York students pledge allegiance to the flag

 New York, New York. Italian-American children warming their hands outside a fruit store at First Avenue and Tenth Street

Italian-American children warming their hands
New York. Ellis Island

New York, Ellis Island

 Immigrants just arrived from Foreign Countries--Immigrant Building, Ellis Island, New York Harbor

Immigrants just arrived from Foreign Countries, Ellis Island

 Evening recreation of the "Young Holy Ghosters" - Ages 15 - 25, average is 18 - all mill workers - all Portuguese. Whole House on George Street. Great need of leadership. Location: Fall River, MassachusettsEvening recreation Portuguese mill workers
A Chinese Laundry at a Bargain Sale
A Chinese Laundry at a Bargain Sale		 Something About America and San Francisco
Something About America and San Francisco		 San Francisco's mayor wants exclusion act to bar the JapsSan Francisco’s mayor wants exclusion act to bar the Japs
American citizens! We appeal to you in all calmness. Is it not time to pause? . . . A paper entitled the American patriot

American citizens! We appeal to you

 Pacific Chivalry: Encouragement to Chinese ImmigrationPacific Chivalry: Encourage-ment to Chinese Immigration http://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100007833

Don’t bite the hand that’s feeding you