LECTURE 28 THE MAKINGOS THE AMERICAn ConSTITUTIon Procedures Show the slides/pictures of the Statue of Liberty, the poem by Emma Lazarus, and the figures about the Statue -to illustrate the deep-rooted meaning of freedom and democracy in the country o The cartoon of Clinton Memorial Hall -an sound example of democracy, and freedom of speech that American people enjoy, so as to usher the research of the making of the Constitution which provides the freedom and democracy American people enjoy The slide(s)of Making of the Constitution The branches of government- an immediate example of the working of the constitution
LECTURE 2: THE MAKING OF THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION Procedures: ⚫ Show the slides/pictures of the Statue of Liberty, the poem by Emma Lazarus, and the figures about the Statue – to illustrate the deep-rooted meaning of freedom and democracy in the country; ⚫ The cartoon of Clinton Memorial Hall – an sound example of democracy, and freedom of speech that American people enjoy, so as to usher the research of the making of the Constitution which provides the freedom and democracy American people enjoy; ⚫ The slide(s) of Making of the Constitution ⚫ The branches of government – an immediate example of the working of the Constitution;
People who influenced the ideology of American Founding Fathers Thomas Hobbes(1588-1679) State of Nature Law of Nature Other Laws of Nature servir draw language unlimited political power nature of human from/follow dutch to punish any violation of olitician Hugo grotius contracts(peace) lis unlimited political power destructive thing is the state, the government John Locke(1632-1704) Very radical, "unpopular of his time for some of his ideas, but now we have experienced and the time has proved his prophetic concepts 1. no person or family has been chosen by god to rule a country; 2. government should only operate with the consent of the people they are governing(peaceful beginnings of government have been laid in the consent of the people- historically reasoned) 3. governments are formed to protect the right to life to freedom 4. democracy: true democracy means the abil ity to remove a government without violence, to punish political failure or misjud gment by votes alone. The art of politics is the minimization of unhappiness, or avoidable suffering 5. once the law is humbled all else that is valuable in a civilized society will vanish,.. with terrifying speed Charles de Montesquieu(1689-1755) 1. declaring in favor of separating the executive, legislative and judicial power 2. toleration in religious belief, and freedom of worship; he believes religious belief has its advantages for civic life, far from a conflict between religion and society he insists the one is useful to the other; "something"he says" must be fixed and permanent, and religion is that something. He says the interests of religion and that of the state"should go hand in hand
People who influenced the ideology of American Founding Fathers Thomas Hobbes (1588~1679) Major points: State of Nature Law of Nature Other Laws of Nature self-serving draw language an unlimited political power nature of human from/follow Dutch to punish any violation of politician Hugo Grotius “contracts” (peace) human won’t do self- this unlimited political power destructive thing is the state, the government John Locke (1632~1704) Very radical, “unpopular” of his time for some of his ideas , but now we have experienced and the time has proved his prophetic concepts: 1. no person or family has been chosen by God to rule a country; 2. government should only operate with the consent of the people they are governing (peaceful beginnings of government have been laid in the consent of the people – historically reasoned); 3. governments are formed to protect the right to life to freedom to property 4. democracy: true democracy means the ability to remove a government without violence, to punish political failure or misjudgment by votes alone. The art of politics is the minimization of unhappiness, or avoidable suffering; 5. once the law is humbled, all else that is valuable in a civilized society will vanish, … with terrifying speed. Charles de Moutesquieu (1689~1755) 1. declaring in favor of separating the executive, legislative and judicial power; 2. toleration in religious belief, and freedom of worship; he believes religious belief has its advantages for civic life, far from a conflict between religion and society, he insists the one is useful to the other; “something” he says “must be fixed and permanent, and religion is that something.” He says the interests of religion and that of the state “should go hand in hand
Jean-Jacque Rosseau(1712-1778) 1. what is government: An intermediate body set up between the subjects and the Sovereign, to secure their mutual correspondence, charged with the execution of the laws and the maintenance of liberty, both civil and politica 2. a good government: . the government under which, without external aids, without naturalization or colonizing, the citizens increase and multiply most, is beyond question the best
Jean-Jacque Rosseau (1712~1778) 1. what is government: An intermediate body set up between the subjects and the Sovereign, to secure their mutual correspondence, charged with the execution of the laws and the maintenance of liberty, both civil and political; 2. a good government: … the government under which, without external aids, without naturalization or colonizing, the citizens increase and multiply most, is beyond question the best
FOUR IMPORTANT FIGURES among the Founding Fathers of America James Madison(1751-1836) 4th president, outlived all other found ing fathers, political sensibi lity and power of isual izing a democratic central government based on the ieas of philosophers and politicians of Europe. (He also helped in founding of University of Virginia) Alexander Hamilton(1755-1804) Governmental mechanism for managing the national economy($100 bill bearing his portrait and signature ) he served as the first financial Minister of the States, being credited for his prophetic vision of US as a global power Thomas Jefferson(1743-1826) 3rd president capturing the hearts of American people emotionally for his belief in the people, the individual ability of human kind to realize virtuous ideals. What is more, he penned the Declaration of Independence, and glorious figure in diplomatic arts (helped the found ing of University of Virginia) John Jay(1745-1829) First chief justice of America Jay Treaty helped avert war with Britain Benjamin Franklin(1706-1790) worked for the draft of Declaration of Independence among other contributions in science politics, and education(helped to found the University of Pennsylvania George Washington(1732-1799) Ist president John Adams(1735-1826)
FOUR IMPORTANT FIGURES among the Founding Fathers of America James Madison (1751~1836) 4 th president, outlived all other founding fathers, political sensibility and power of visualizing a democratic central government based on the ideas of philosophers and politicians of Europe. (He also helped in founding of University of Virginia) Alexander Hamilton (1755~1804) Governmental mechanism for managing the national economy ($100 bill bearing his portrait and signature); he served as the first financial Minister of the States, being credited for his prophetic vision of US as a global power. Thomas Jefferson (1743~1826) 3 rd president capturing the hearts of American people emotionally for his belief in the people, the individual ability of human kind to realize virtuous ideals. What is more, he penned the Declaration of Independence, and glorious figure in diplomatic arts. (helped the founding of University of Virginia) John Jay (1745~1829) First chief justice of America Jay Treaty helped avert war with Britain. Benjamin Franklin (1706~1790) worked for the draft of Declaration of Independence among other contributions in science politics, and education (helped to found the University of Pennsylvania) George Washington (1732~1799) 1 st president John Adams (1735~1826) 2 nd president
Statue of Liberty History The Statue of Liberty National Monument officially celebrated her 100th birthday on October 28 1986. The people of france gave the Statue to the people of the United States over one hundred years ago in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution. Over the years, the Statue of liberty has grown to include freedom and democracy as well as this international friendship Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design a sculpture with the year 1876 in mind for completion, to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. The Statue was a joint effort between America and france and it was agreed upon that the american people were to build the pedestal, and the French people were responsible for the Statue and its assembly here in the United States. However, lack of funds was a problem on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In France, public fees, various forms of entertainment, and a lottery were among the methods used to raise funds. In the United States, benefit theatricalevents art exhibitions, auctions and prize fights assisted in providing needed funds. Meanwhile in France, Bartholdi required the assistance of an engineer to address structural issues associated with designing such as colossal copper sculpture. Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower)was commissioned to design the massive iron pylon and secondary skeletal framework which allows the Statue's copper skin to move independently yet stand upright Back in America, fund raising for the pedestal was going particularly slowly, so Joseph Pulitzer (noted for the Pulitzer Prize)opened up the editorial pages of his newspaper, "The World"to support the fund aising effort. Pulitzer used his newspaper to criticize both the rich who had failed to finance the pedestal construction and the middle class who were content to rely upon the wealthy to provide the funds. Pulitzer's campaign of harsh criticism was successful in motivating the people of America to de Financing for the pedestal was completed in August 1885, and pedestal construction was finished in April of 1886. The Statue was completed in France in July, 1884 and arrived in New York Harbor in June of 1885 on board the French frigate"lsere"which transported the Statue of Liberty from France to the United States. In transit, the Statue was reduced to 350 individual pieces and packed in 214 crates. The Statue was re-assembled on her new pedestal in four months time. On October 28th 1886, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty took place in front of thousands of spectators. She was a co ial gift ten years late The story of the Statue of liberty and her island has been one of change. The Statue was placed pon a granite pedestal inside the courtyard of the star-shaped walls of Fort Wood(which had been completed for the War of 1812. )The United States Lighthouse Board had responsibility for the operation of the Statue of Liberty until 1901. After 1901, the care and operation of the Statue was placed under the War Department. A Presidential Proclamation declared Fort Wood(and the Statue of Liberty within it) a National Monument on October 15th, 1924 and the monument's boundary was set at the outer edge of Fort Wood. In 1933, the care and administration of the National Monument was transferred to the National Park Service. On September 8, 1937, jurisdiction was enlarged to encompass all of Bedloe's Island and in 1956, the island's
Statue of Liberty History The Statue of Liberty National Monument officially celebrated her 100th birthday on October 28, 1986. The people of France gave the Statue to the people of the United States over one hundred years ago in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution. Over the years, the Statue of Liberty has grown to include freedom and democracy as well as this international friendship. Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design a sculpture with the year 1876 in mind for completion, to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. The Statue was a joint effort between America and France and it was agreed upon that the American people were to build the pedestal, and the French people were responsible for the Statue and its assembly here in the United States. However, lack of funds was a problem on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In France, public fees, various forms of entertainment, and a lottery were among the methods used to raise funds. In the United States, benefit theatricalevents, art exhibitions, auctions and prize fights assisted in providing needed funds. Meanwhile in France, Bartholdi required the assistance of an engineer to address structural issues associated with designing such as colossal copper sculpture. Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower) was commissioned to design the massive iron pylon and secondary skeletal framework which allows the Statue's copper skin to move independently yet stand upright. Back in America, fund raising for the pedestal was going particularly slowly, so Joseph Pulitzer (noted for the Pulitzer Prize) opened up the editorial pages of his newspaper, "The World" to support the fund raising effort. Pulitzer used his newspaper to criticize both the rich who had failed to finance the pedestal construction and the middle class who were content to rely upon the wealthy to provide the funds. Pulitzer's campaign of harsh criticism was successful in motivating the people of America to donate. Financing for the pedestal was completed in August 1885, and pedestal construction was finished in April of 1886. The Statue was completed in France in July, 1884 and arrived in New York Harbor in June of 1885 on board the French frigate "Isere" which transported the Statue of Liberty from France to the United States. In transit, the Statue was reduced to 350 individual pieces and packed in 214 crates. The Statue was re-assembled on her new pedestal in four months time. On October 28th 1886, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty took place in front of thousands of spectators. She was a centennial gift ten years late. The story of the Statue of Liberty and her island has been one of change. The Statue was placed upon a granite pedestal inside the courtyard of the star-shaped walls of Fort Wood (which had been completed for the War of 1812.) The United States Lighthouse Board had responsibility for the operation of the Statue of Liberty until 1901. After 1901, the care and operation of the Statue was placed under the War Department. A Presidential Proclamation declared Fort Wood (and the Statue of Liberty within it) a National Monument on October 15th, 1924 and the monument's boundary was set at the outer edge of Fort Wood. In 1933, the care and administration of the National Monument was transferred to the National Park Service. On September 8, 1937, jurisdiction was enlarged to encompass all of Bedloe's Island and in 1956, the island's name was
hanged to Liberty Island. On May 11, 1965, Ellis Island was also transferred to the National Park Service and became part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. In May of 1982. President Ronald Reagan appointed Lee lacocca to head up a private sector effort to restore the Statue of Liberty. Fundraising began for the $87 million restoration under a public/private partnership between the National Park Service and the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation Inc., to date the most successful such partnership in American history. In 1984, at the start of the Statue's restoration, the United Nations designated the Statue of Liberty as a World Heritage Site On July 5, 1986 the newly restored Statue re-opened to the public during Liberty Weekend, which celebrated her centennial
changed to Liberty Island. On May 11, 1965, Ellis Island was also transferred to the National Park Service and became part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. In May of 1982, President Ronald Reagan appointed Lee Iacocca to head up a private sector effort to restore the Statue of Liberty. Fundraising began for the $87 million restoration under a public/private partnership between the National Park Service and the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., to date the most successful such partnership in American history. In 1984, at the start of the Statue's restoration, the United Nations designated the Statue of Liberty as a World Heritage Site. On July 5, 1986 the newly restored Statue re-opened to the public during Liberty Weekend, which celebrated her centennial
Ellis Island History From 1892 to 1954, over twelve million immigrants entered the United States through the portal of Ellis Island, a small island in New York Harbor. Ellis Island is located in the upper bay just off the New Jersey coast, within the shadow of the Statue of Liberty. Through the years, this gateway to the new world was enlarged from its original 3. 3 acres to 27.5 acres mostly by landfill obtained from ship ballast and possibly excess earth from the construction of the New York City subway systen Before being designated as the site of one of the first Federal immigration station by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890, Ellis Island had a varied history. The local Indian tribes had called it Kioshk"or Gull Island Due to its rich and abundant oyster beds and plentiful and profitable shad runs, it was known as Oyster Island for many generations during the Dutch and English colonial periods. By the time Samuel Ellis became the islands last private owner in the 1770,s, the island had been called Kioshk, Oyster, Dyre, Bucking and Anderson's Island. In this way, Ellis Island developed from a sandy island that barely rose above the high tide mark, into a hanging site for pirates, a harbor fort, ammunition and ordinance depot named Fort Gibson, and finally into an Immigration station From 1794 to 1890(pre- immigration station period), Ellis Island played a mostly uneventful but still important military role in United States history. When the British occupied New York City during the duration of the Revolutionary War, its large and powerful naval fleet was able to sail unimpeded directly into New York Harbor. Therefore, it was deemed critical by the United States Government that a series of coastal fortifications in New York Harbor be constructed just prior to the War of 1812. After much legal haggling over ownership of the island, the Federal government purchased Ellis Island from New York State in 1808. Ellis Island was approved as a site fo fortifications and on it was constructed a parapet for three tiers of circular guns, making the island part of the new harbor defense system that included Castle Clinton at the Battery, Castle Williams on Governor's island Fort wood on bedloe s island and two earthworks forts at the entrance to New York harbor at the verrazano narrows the fort at ellis island was named fort gibson in honor of a brave officer killed during the war of 1812 Prior to 1890, the individual states(rather than the Federal government) regulated immigration into the United States. Castle Garden in the Battery (originally known as Castle Clinton)served as the New York State immigration station from 1855 to 1890 and approximately eight million immigrants, mostly from Northern and Western Europe, passed through its doors. These early immigrants came from nations such as England, Ireland, Germany and the Scandinavian countries and constituted the first large wave of immigrants that settled and populated the United States Throughout the 1800s and intensifying in the latter half of the 19th century, ensuing political instability, restrictive religious laws and deteriorating economic conditions in Europe began to fuel the largest mass human migration in the history of the world It soon became apparent that Castle Garden was ill-equipped and unprepared to handle the growing numbers of immigrants arriving yearly. Unfortunately compounding the problems of the small facility were the corruption and incompetence found to be commonplace at Castle Garden
Ellis Island History From 1892 to 1954, over twelve million immigrants entered the United States through the portal of Ellis Island, a small island in New York Harbor. Ellis Island is located in the upper bay just off the New Jersey coast, within the shadow of the Statue of Liberty. Through the years, this gateway to the new world was enlarged from its original 3.3 acres to 27.5 acres mostly by landfill obtained from ship ballast and possibly excess earth from the construction of the New York City subway system. Before being designated as the site of one of the first Federal immigration station by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890, Ellis Island had a varied history. The local Indian tribes had called it "Kioshk" or Gull Island. Due to its rich and abundant oyster beds and plentiful and profitable shad runs, it was known as Oyster Island for many generations during the Dutch and English colonial periods. By the time Samuel Ellis became the island's last private owner in the 1770's, the island had been called Kioshk, Oyster, Dyre, Bucking and Anderson's Island. In this way, Ellis Island developed from a sandy island that barely rose above the high tide mark, into a hanging site for pirates, a harbor fort, ammunition and ordinance depot named Fort Gibson, and finally into an immigration station. From 1794 to 1890 (pre-immigration station period), Ellis Island played a mostly uneventful but still important military role in United States history. When the British occupied New York City during the duration of the Revolutionary War, its large and powerful naval fleet was able to sail unimpeded directly into New York Harbor. Therefore, it was deemed critical by the United States Government that a series of coastal fortifications in New York Harbor be constructed just prior to the War of 1812. After much legal haggling over ownership of the island, the Federal government purchased Ellis Island from New York State in 1808. Ellis Island was approved as a site for fortifications and on it was constructed a parapet for three tiers of circular guns, making the island part of the new harbor defense system that included Castle Clinton at the Battery, Castle Williams on Governor's Island, Fort Wood on Bedloe's Island and two earthworks forts at the entrance to New York Harbor at the Verrazano Narrows. The fort at Ellis Island was named Fort Gibson in honor of a brave officer killed during the War of 1812. Prior to 1890, the individual states (rather than the Federal government) regulated immigration into the United States. Castle Garden in the Battery (originally known as Castle Clinton) served as the New York State immigration station from 1855 to 1890 and approximately eight million immigrants, mostly from Northern and Western Europe, passed through its doors. These early immigrants came from nations such as England, Ireland, Germany and the Scandinavian countries and constituted the first large wave of immigrants that settled and populated the United States. Throughout the 1800's and intensifying in the latter half of the 19th century, ensuing political instability, restrictive religious laws and deteriorating economic conditions in Europe began to fuel the largest mass human migration in the history of the world. It soon became apparent that Castle Garden was ill-equipped and unprepared to handle the growing numbers of immigrants arriving yearly. Unfortunately compounding the problems of the small facility were the corruption and incompetence found to be commonplace at Castle Garden
The Federal government intervened and constructed a new Federally-operated immigration station on Ellis Island. While the new immigration station on Ellis Island was under construction, the Barge Office at the Battery was used for the processing of immigrants. The new large structure on Ellis Island was built of"Georgia pine"with a slate roof and its doors opened on January 1, 1892 A fifteen year-old lass from Ireland named Annie Moore accompanied by her two brothers entered a new country as she was the very first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island Millior follow. While there were many reasons to emigrate to America, no reason could be found for what would occur only five years after the Ellis Island Immigration Station opened. During the evening of June 14, 1897, a fire on Ellis Island, burned the immigration station completely to the ground Although no lives were lost, many years of Federal and State immigration records dating back to 1855 burned along with the pine buildings that failed to protect them. The United States Treasury quickly ordered the immigration facility be replaced under one very important condition. All future structures built on Ellis Island had to be fireproof. On December 17, 1900, the new Main Building was opened and 2, 251 immigrants were received that day While most immigrants entered the United States through New York Harbor( the most popular destination of steamship companies), others sailed into many ports such as Boston, San Francisco and Savannah. The great steamship companies like White Star, Red Star, Cunard and Hamburg-America played a significant role in the history of Ellis Island and immigration in general. First and second class passengers who arrived in New York Harbor were not required to undergo the inspection process at Ellis Island. Instead, these passengers underwent a cursory inspection aboard ship; the theory being that if a person could afford to purchase a first or second class ticket, they were less likely to become a public charge in America due to medical or legal reasons. The Federal government felt that these more affluent passengers would not end up in pitals or burden to the were sent to Ellis Island for further inspection if they were sick or had legal problems This scenario was far different for "steerage"or third class passengers. These immigrants traveled in crowded and often unsanitary conditions near the bottom of steamships with few amenities, oftenspending up to two weeks seasick in their bunks during rough Atlantic Ocean crossings Upon arrival in New York City, ships would dock at the Hudson or East River piers. First and second class passengers would disembark, pass through Customs at the piers and were free to enter the United States. The steerage and third class passengers were transported from the pier by ferry or barge to Ellis Island where everyone would undergo a medical and legal inspection If the immigrant's papers were in order and they were in reasonably good health, the Ellis Island inspection process would last approximately three to five hours. The inspections took place in the Registry Room(or Great Hall), where doctors would briefly scan every immigrant for obvious physical ailments. Doctors at Ellis Island soon became very adept at conducting these"six second physicals "By 1916, it was said that a doctor could identify numerous medical conditions(ranging from anemia to goiters to varicose veins) just by glancing at an immigrant. The ship,s manifest log
The Federal government intervened and constructed a new Federally-operated immigration station on Ellis Island. While the new immigration station on Ellis Island was under construction, the Barge Office at the Battery was used for the processing of immigrants. The new large structure on Ellis Island was built of "Georgia pine" with a slate roof and its doors opened on January 1, 1892. A fifteen year-old lass from Ireland named Annie Moore accompanied by her two brothers entered history and a new country as she was the very first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island. Millions more were soon to follow. While there were many reasons to emigrate to America, no reason could be found for what would occur only five years after the Ellis Island Immigration Station opened. During the evening of June 14, 1897, a fire on Ellis Island, burned the immigration station completely to the ground. Although no lives were lost, many years of Federal and State immigration records dating back to 1855 burned along with the pine buildings that failed to protect them. The United States Treasury quickly ordered the immigration facility be replaced under one very important condition. All future structures built on Ellis Island had to be fireproof. On December 17, 1900, the new Main Building was opened and 2,251 immigrants were received that day. While most immigrants entered the United States through New York Harbor (the most popular destination of steamship companies), others sailed into many ports such as Boston, San Francisco and Savannah. The great steamship companies like White Star, Red Star, Cunard and Hamburg-America played a significant role in the history of Ellis Island and immigration in general. First and second class passengers who arrived in New York Harbor were not required to undergo the inspection process at Ellis Island. Instead, these passengers underwent a cursory inspection aboard ship; the theory being that if a person could afford to purchase a first or second class ticket, they were less likely to become a public charge in America due to medical or legal reasons. The Federal government felt that these more affluent passengers would not end up in institutions, hospitals or become a burden to the state. However, first and second class passengers were sent to Ellis Island for further inspection if they were sick or had legal problems. This scenario was far different for "steerage" or third class passengers. These immigrants traveled in crowded and often unsanitary conditions near the bottom of steamships with few amenities, oftenspending up to two weeks seasick in their bunks during rough Atlantic Ocean crossings. Upon arrival in New York City, ships would dock at the Hudson or East River piers. First and second class passengers would disembark, pass through Customs at the piers and were free to enter the United States. The steerage and third class passengers were transported from the pier by ferry or barge to Ellis Island where everyone would undergo a medical and legal inspection. If the immigrant's papers were in order and they were in reasonably good health, the Ellis Island inspection process would last approximately three to five hours. The inspections took place in the Registry Room (or Great Hall), where doctors would briefly scan every immigrant for obvious physical ailments. Doctors at Ellis Island soon became very adept at conducting these "six second physicals." By 1916, it was said that a doctor could identify numerous medical conditions (ranging from anemia to goiters to varicose veins) just by glancing at an immigrant. The ship's manifest log
(that had been filled out back at the port of embarkation) contained the immigrant's name and his/her answers to twenty-nine questions. This document was used by the legal inspectors at Ellis Island to cross examine the immigrant during the legal (or primary)inspection. The two agencies responsible for processing immigrants at Ellis Island were the United States Public Health Service and the United States Bureau of Immigration(now known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service-INS Despite the island's reputation as an"Island of Tears", the vast majority of immigrants were treated courteously and respectfully, and were free to begin their new lives in America after only a few short hours on Ellis Island. Only two percent of the arriving immigrants were excluded from entry. The two main reasons why an immigrant would be excluded were if a doctor diagnosed that the immigrant had a contagious disease that would endanger the public health or if a legal inspector thought the immigrant was likely to become a public charge or an illegal contract laborer During the early 1900s, immigration officials mistakenly thought that the peak wave of immigration had already passed. Actually, immigration was on the rise and in 1907, more people immigrated to the United States than any other year; approximately 1. 25 million immigrants were processed at Ellis Island in that one year. Consequently, masons and carpenters were constantly struggling to enlarge and build new facilities to accommodate this greater than anticipated influx of new immigrants. Hospital buildings, dormitories, contagious disease wards and kitchens were all were feverishly constructed between 1900 and 1915 As the United States entered World War I, immigration to the United States decreased. Numerous suspected enemy aliens throughout the United States were brought to Ellis Island undercustody Between 1918 and 1919, detained suspected enemy aliens were transferred from Ellis Island to other locations in order for the United States Navy with the Army Medical Department to take over the island complex for the duration of the war. During this time, regular inspection of arriving immigrants was conducted on board ship or at the docks. At the end of World War I, a big"Red Scare"spread across America and thousands of suspected alien radicals were interred at Ellis Island. Hundreds were later deported based upon the principal of guilt by association with any organizations advocating revolution against the Federal government. In 1920, Ellis Island reopened as an immigration receiving station and 225, 206 immigrants were processed that year From the very beginning of the mass migration that spanned the years(roughly) 1880 to 1924 increasingly vociferous group of politicians and nativists demanded increased restrictions on immigration Laws and regulations such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Alien Contract Labor aw and the institution of a literacy test barely stemmed this flood tide of new immigrants Actually, the death knell for Ellis Island, as a major entry point for new immigrants, began to toll in 1921. It reached a crescendo between 1921 with the passage of the Quota Laws and 1924 with the passage of the National Origins Act. These restrictions were based upon a percentage system according to the number of ethnic groups already living in the United States as per the 1890 and 1910 Census. It was an attempt to preserve the ethnic flavor of the"old immigrants", those earlier settlers primarily from Northern and Western Europe. The perception existed that the newly
(that had been filled out back at the port of embarkation) contained the immigrant's name and his/her answers to twenty-nine questions. This document was used by the legal inspectors at Ellis Island to cross examine the immigrant during the legal (or primary) inspection. The two agencies responsible for processing immigrants at Ellis Island were the United States Public Health Service and the United States Bureau of Immigration (now known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service - INS). Despite the island's reputation as an "Island of Tears", the vast majority of immigrants were treated courteously and respectfully, and were free to begin their new lives in America after only a few short hours on Ellis Island. Only two percent of the arriving immigrants were excluded from entry. The two main reasons why an immigrant would be excluded were if a doctor diagnosed that the immigrant had a contagious disease that would endanger the public health or if a legal inspector thought the immigrant was likely to become a public charge or an illegal contract laborer. During the early 1900's, immigration officials mistakenly thought that the peak wave of immigration had already passed. Actually, immigration was on the rise and in 1907, more people immigrated to the United States than any other year; approximately 1.25 million immigrants were processed at Ellis Island in that one year. Consequently, masons and carpenters were constantly struggling to enlarge and build new facilities to accommodate this greater than anticipated influx of new immigrants. Hospital buildings, dormitories, contagious disease wards and kitchens were all were feverishly constructed between 1900 and 1915. As the United States entered World War I, immigration to the United States decreased. Numerous suspected enemy aliens throughout the United States were brought to Ellis Island undercustody. Between 1918 and 1919, detained suspected enemy aliens were transferred from Ellis Island to other locations in order for the United States Navy with the Army Medical Department to take over the island complex for the duration of the war. During this time, regular inspection of arriving immigrants was conducted on board ship or at the docks. At the end of World War I, a big "Red Scare" spread across America and thousands of suspected alien radicals were interred at Ellis Island. Hundreds were later deported based upon the principal of guilt by association with any organizations advocating revolution against the Federal government. In 1920, Ellis Island reopened as an immigration receiving station and 225,206 immigrants were processed that year. From the very beginning of the mass migration that spanned the years (roughly) 1880 to 1924, an increasingly vociferous group of politicians and nativists demanded increased restrictions on immigration. Laws and regulations such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Alien Contract Labor Law and the institution of a literacy test barely stemmed this flood tide of new immigrants. Actually, the death knell for Ellis Island, as a major entry point for new immigrants, began to toll in 1921. It reached a crescendo between 1921 with the passage of the Quota Laws and 1924 with the passage of the National Origins Act. These restrictions were based upon a percentage system according to the number of ethnic groups already living in the United States as per the 1890 and 1910 Census. It was an attempt to preserve the ethnic flavor of the "old immigrants", those earlier settlers primarily from Northern and Western Europe. The perception existed that the newly
arriving immigrants mostly from southern and eastern Europe were somehow inferior to those who arrived earlier fter World War I, the United States began to emerge as a potential world power. United States embassies were established in countries all over the world and prospective immigrants now applied for their visas at American consulates in their countries of origin The necessary paperwork was completed at the consulate and a medical inspection was also conducted there After 1924, the only people who were detained at Ellis Island were those who had problems with their paperwork, as well as war refugees and displaced persons Ellis Island still remained open for many years and served a multitude of purposes. During World War Il, enemy merchant seamen were detained in the baggage and dormitory building. The United States Coast Guard also trained about 60.000 servicemen there. In 1954 the last detainee. a Norwegian merchant seaman named Arne Peterssen was released, and Ellis Island officially closed In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson declared Ellis Island part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Ellis Island was opened to the public on a limited basis between 1976 and 1984 Starting in 1984, Ellis Island underwent a major restoration, the largest historic restoration in U. S history. The $162 million dollar project was funded by donations made to the Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Foundation, Inc in partnership with the National Park Service. The Main Building as reopened to the public on September 10, 1990 as the Ellis Island Immigration Museum Today, the museum receives almost 2 million visitors annually Scope of Collection Statement The National Park Service(NPS)acquires, preserves, and uses objects, documents and specimens as primary sources of cultural and scientific information and as primary resources in and of themselves. By delegation of the Secretary of the Interior, the park superintendent is authorized to accept title to and responsibility for museum collections clearly significant to the Park. In addition, archeological materials and certain natural history specimens retrieved from within the park boundaries are mandated by regulation and policy to be part of the Parks museum collection The scope of the Parks museum collection is determined by the mission of the park as stated in the enabling legislation, subsequent legislation, planning documents and its history. NPS policy permits and encourages the acquisition of museum objects through gift, loan, exchange, transfer, purchase or field collection in accordance with established procedures and policies Scope of Collection Statement is the basic curatorial planning document required by nPs all parks. It serves to guide the Park in the acquisition and preserv of museum objects that contribute directly to the museum collection as a whole, the understanding and interpretation of the Park's themes and additional objects that the NPS is legally mandated to
arriving immigrants mostly from southern and eastern Europe were somehow inferior to those who arrived earlier. After World War I, the United States began to emerge as a potential world power. United States embassies were established in countries all over the world, and prospective immigrants now applied for their visas at American consulates in their countries of origin. The necessary paperwork was completed at the consulate and a medical inspection was also conducted there. After 1924, the only people who were detained at Ellis Island were those who had problems with their paperwork, as well as war refugees and displaced persons. Ellis Island still remained open for many years and served a multitude of purposes. During World War II, enemy merchant seamen were detained in the baggage and dormitory building. The United States Coast Guard also trained about 60,000 servicemen there. In 1954 the last detainee, a Norwegian merchant seaman named Arne Peterssen was released, and Ellis Island officially closed. In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson declared Ellis Island part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Ellis Island was opened to the public on a limited basis between 1976 and 1984. Starting in 1984, Ellis Island underwent a major restoration, the largest historic restoration in U.S. history. The $162 million dollar project was funded by donations made to the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the National Park Service. The Main Building was reopened to the public on September 10, 1990 as the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Today, the museum receives almost 2 million visitors annually. Scope of Collection Statement The National Park Service (NPS) acquires, preserves, and uses objects, documents and specimens as primary sources of cultural and scientific information and as primary resources in and of themselves. By delegation of the Secretary of the Interior, the park superintendent is authorized to accept title to and responsibility for museum collections clearly significant to the Park. In addition, archeological materials and certain natural history specimens retrieved from within the park boundaries are mandated by regulation and policy to be part of the Park's museum collection. The scope of the Park's museum collection is determined by the mission of the park as stated in the enabling legislation, subsequent legislation, planning documents and its history. NPS policy permits and encourages the acquisition of museum objects through gift, loan, exchange, transfer, purchase or field collection in accordance with established procedures and policies. The Scope of Collection Statement is the basic curatorial planning document required by NPS Management Policies for all parks. It serves to guide the Park in the acquisition and preservation of museum objects that contribute directly to the museum collection as a whole, the understanding and interpretation of the Park's themes and additional objects that the NPS is legally mandated to preserve
