Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Life as an Immigrant
Between 1880 and 1920, twenty-three million immigrants came to the United States. They came mainly from Europe. Many came to escape poverty. Many were looking for religious freedom. Some were trying to escape an unfair political system in their home countries. They spoke different languages and had different customs. The one thing they had in common was a belief that, in America, life would be better.
Most of these immigrants were very poor. Somehow they managed to scrape together enough money to pay for their passage to America. Many families had to come separately. The father would usually come first. He would find a job and save all his money. As soon as he had saved enough, he would send for his family.
Most immigrants landed in New York City. This was America's busiest port. Often the first thing immigrants saw was the Statue of Liberty. The statue was a symbol to immigrants of the freedom and opportunity available to them in America.
