NHD Theme Book 2016 | Page 39

W EXPLORATION, ENCOUNTER, EXCHANGE IN HISTORY omen’s immigration offers students opportunities to explore a wide range of topics or examine a subject through a different lens. For example, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire is not only a story about workplace safety, it is also a study of the female immigrants in the workforce. Students may follow an issue across borders or over time. They may identify subjects that are relevant to their home communities. Some students may choose to explore their own family histories, creating projects rich in personal meaning. Exploration • What were the individual or group’s motivations for immigration? • What were the conditions that she or they were leaving and what were her/their expectations regarding life in America? • What were the virtual boundaries that women crossed? (Political, economic, or social) • What were the physical boundaries that immigrants crossed? (Oceans, deserts, geographic borders, or national lines) • What were the conditions of the trip? (Crowded steerage compartments, difficulty of communications, etc.) Encounter • What surprised women about living in the United States? Were all women successful in establishing a better standard of living? • How did native-born Americans view the cultural beliefs or practices of the target immigrant group? How did immigrant women experience racism or ethnic or religious prejudice? • What was America’s view of women’s roles, and how did immigrants fit into this model? Exchange • How did immigrant women affect change (political, economic, social)? • When did women from different groups come together for a common purpose? Inspection room, Ellis Island, New York, c. 1900–1915 Library of Congress Motivations for Immigration While women’s reasons for immigration varied, there are five common motivations. Opportunity The United States represented opportunities not available in home countries. This could include better paying jobs, more diverse job opportunities, education, or, for some, better marriage prospects. Family Reunification While solo immigration was common, individuals were often links in migration chains. Husbands, parents, or children frequently immigrated first to establish a toehold in the new world and then worked to bring over other family members. Forced Immigration Not all immigration is by the individual’s choosing. Enslaved individuals were forced migrants. There were also numerous examples of women compelled by law or culture to follow husbands or husbands-to-be. Flight from Oppression Many immigrants chose to leave their home countries due to war, violence, and other forms of oppression. The United States represented enhanced safety and freedom. Mavericks Perhaps the smallest group, mavericks did not necessarily lack opportunity or were not oppressed but rather sought greater freedom of self-expression than was allowed in their home countries. 37