KEY CONCEPTS
What does "land of plenty" mean?
A new territory with abundance of food and no poverty — a place of opportunity for all.
How many immigrants were processed through Ellis Island?
Around 12 million immigrants.
What does "steerage" mean?
The lowest, cheapest deck on a ship.
Name the three core ideas of the "self-made man" myth.
Meritocracy, social mobility, and individual agency.
Who wrote "The New Colossus" (1883) and what is it about?
Emma Lazarus. A poem about the Statue of Liberty welcoming poor and homeless immigrants to America.
Name the four gateways into the USA.
Angel Island (West), Ellis Island (East), Canadian border (North), Mexican border (South).
What percentage of immigrants were allowed entry?
98%
What does "cursory" mean?
Quick and superficial — not thorough
True or False: The USA has higher social mobility than most European nations.
False — the USA ranks low, 4th among rich nations.
What was MLK's key idea about the American Dream?
The Dream must be inclusive and include racial equality — or it means nothing.
What is the "melting pot"?
The idea that immigrant cultures blend together into one single American identity.
What were Ellis Island's two nicknames?
The Island of Hopes and the Island of Tears.
What does "unsanitary" mean?
Dirty and unhygienic — harmful to health.
Give one reason why the American Dream is considered "still alive".
The USA remains the #1 destination for migrants worldwide / ~60% of Americans still believe in it.
What key question do the DREAMers raise?
Who does the Dream actually belong to? They are educated and raised in the USA yet legally excluded from it.
Where does "milk and honey" originally come from?
The Old Testament — God's promise to Moses of a Promised Land.
What did the chalk marks L, X, and Ct mean?
L = lameness, X = suspected mental illness, Ct = trachoma (eye disease).
What does "disembark" mean?
To get off a ship or aircraft.
Give one reason why the American Dream is considered to have "faded".
Rising inequality / expensive schools / strict immigration laws.
Name two push factors that drove people to leave for the USA.
Poverty, famine, religious persecution, political oppression (any two).
What is Winthrop's "city upon a hill"?
His vision of America as a model, divinely chosen colony watched by the whole world.
How did wealth create inequality in the Ellis Island process?
First and second class passengers were inspected on board — only poor steerage passengers had to go through the full inspection on the island.
What does "affluent" mean?
Wealthy, well-off.
What does the racial wealth gap statistic reveal?
Black families own on average only 1/8 of the median wealth of white families.
Name two pull factors that attracted immigrants to the USA.
Economic opportunities, religious freedom, new land, promise of a better life (any two).