United States History Student Edition

04

INQUIRY ACTIVITY

FLORIDA BENCHMARKS

Multiple Perspectives: The Immigrant and Work Experiences ? COMPELLING QUESTION How do changes in work and population affect a society?

• SS.8.A.1.7 • SS.8.A.4.3 • SS.8.A.4.7

• SS.8.A.1.4 • SS.8.A.1.5 • SS.8.A.1.6

Plan Your Inquiry DEVELOPING QUESTIONS

Background Information From 1840 to 1860, immigration to the United States dramatically increased, with the greatest number of immigrants coming from Ireland. At the same time, the workplace was changing for many Americans as industrialization accelerated. During this period, immigrants and American citizens wrote essays and letters to share their experiences. They also created petitions and political parties to advocate for change and express opinions about immigration, factory work, and other issues of the day. As you examine each source, consider the creator’s perspective on immigration.

Think about the United States in the mid-1800s and the social and cultural impacts of immigration and growing industrialization in the North during this period. Then read the Compelling Question for this lesson. What questions can you ask to help you answer this Compelling Question? Create a graphic organizer like the one below. Write your Supporting Questions in your graphic organizer.

What this source tells me about how immigration and industrialization affected American society

Questions the source leaves unanswered

Supporting Questions Source

A B C D

E F

G H

ANALYZING SOURCES Next, examine the primary sources in this lesson. Analyze each source by answering the questions that follow it. How does each source help you answer each Supporting Question you created? What questions do you still have? Write these in your graphic organizer.

After you analyze the sources, you will: • use the evidence from the sources • communicate your conclusions • take informed action

This 1868 engraving depicts family members waving goodbye as emigrants from Ireland depart on a ship bound for the United States.

Science History Images/Alamy Stock Photo

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