New Americans

At the beginning of the 19th century most Americans had come from Britain, Germany and Scandinavia. But, little by little, poor people came from other countries too hoping to find work. Many people came from Ireland, Italy, Russia, Poland and other countries from Eastern Europe. They arrived at Ellis island in New York. There were also a lot of immigrants from China and, like Native Americans or black people, Chinese people had no civil rights.

Today most immigrants come from Spanish speaking countries like Mexico or Puerto Rico. Spanish has become the second language of the USA.

In many places you can find places like Little Italy or Chinatown because immigrants have tried to adapt to American life but they have also wanted to keep their own identity. This is what makes the USA a big melting pot of different cultures mixed together.

Click on the photo below for an interactive tour of Ellis Island.