The term paper is to examine the immigration to the USA as a com-parative essay. Differences and similarities between the immigration process on the East Coast and West Coast are pointed out. Therefore, New York City arises as an example for the Eastern Bay and San Francisco for the Western Bay Area.
The paper deals with American immigration to the East and West Coast of the U.S., studies the causes for immigration flows in New York City and San Francisco and is to point out how culture is influenced by people with a different ethnical background.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Immigration to the U.S.
II.1. New York City – an example for the American East Coast
II.1.1. History of Immigration
II.1.2. Cultural Influence
II.1.3. Ethnic Neighborhoods.
II.2. San Francisco – an example for the American West Coast
II.2.1. History of Immigration
II.2.2. Cultural Influence
II.2.3. Ethnic Neighborhoods.
III. Comparison of New York and San Francisco concerning History, culture and influence of immigration
IV. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines immigration to the United States through a comparative analysis of New York City and San Francisco, focusing on how diverse ethnic populations have shaped the cultural landscapes of the East and West Coasts. The central research question seeks to identify the similarities and differences in the historical development of these immigrant communities and their ongoing impact on local gastronomy, art, and urban social structure.
- Historical context of immigration waves in New York and San Francisco.
- Comparative analysis of cultural integration, specifically in gastronomy and the arts.
- The formation and development of ethnic neighborhoods as spaces of segregation and community.
- The impact of geographical position and historical timeline on settlement patterns.
- Assessment of current societal integration and multicultural festivals.
Excerpt from the Book
II.1.3. Ethnic Neighborhoods
„New York is very much a city of neighborhoods” (Dunford 5). One of them is the Lower East Side, which is famous for its ethnic diversity. Up to forty percent of its population has an immigrant background. The majority comes from Asia, especially China, and Spanish-speaking nations (Dunford 81f). It belongs to the working-class (ibid). Today it is divided in two neighborhoods. While the north is being mostly inhabited by an expanding Latino society, the south is home to the Chinese (Lyon 189). In the 17th century released slaves were the first people living in this area (ibid). In 1833, many apartment buildings were constructed. Immigrants from Ireland and Germany occupied these houses and “Klein Deutschland” (Dunford 88) was built. In the 19th century, it became a slum for about 500,000 Jewish immigrants and thus was the most heavily populated place worldwide. Apart from Russian immigrants, there were also Dominican and Chinese ones, who came to live in this region. Today the Lower East Side still has many characteristics that refer to its multicultural roots (Dunford 88f).
Other flourishing neighborhoods are Chinatown and Little Italy, which both have a great influence on gastronomic diversity in New York. Their roots are linked to Italian and Chinese immigration flows in the 19th century.
In the beginning, Chinatown remained as a temporary solution for Chinese settlers. They planned to make money and then return to China, but with their wages they had to pay for their lifestyle. Due to this, Chinatown became a durable place to live (Cook 72). Restaurants and groceries which offered a lot of typical Asian dishes and exotic vegetables were opened up (Dunford 78). Aside from Chinese shops, there were also Vietnamese ones in this area (Lyon 185). Nonetheless, Chinatown is an example for segregation. The majority of the inhabitants live in their “minisociety without using a word of English” (ibid).
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's comparative approach to analyzing immigration flows in New York City and San Francisco to understand their cultural and social dynamics.
II. Immigration to the U.S.: This section provides a detailed historical and cultural investigation into how specific immigrant groups settled in and shaped the identities of New York City and San Francisco.
III. Comparison of New York and San Francisco concerning History, culture and influence of immigration: The chapter synthesizes findings to contrast the two cities, noting that while both rely on immigrant-driven culture, their ethnic focal points and settlement histories significantly differ.
IV. Conclusion: The summary highlights that despite unique historical timelines and ethnic compositions, both cities demonstrate a shared legacy of cultural enrichment driven by their immigrant populations.
Keywords
Immigration, United States, New York City, San Francisco, East Coast, West Coast, Cultural Influence, Ethnic Neighborhoods, Chinatown, Integration, Gastronomy, Urban History, Diversity, Multiculturalism, Assimilation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper provides a comparative study of immigration processes and their long-term cultural impacts on the cities of New York and San Francisco.
What are the primary thematic areas?
The core themes include historical settlement patterns, the influence of immigrant cultures on local arts and food, and the formation of distinct ethnic neighborhoods.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The goal is to analyze the differences and similarities between East Coast and West Coast immigration to understand how diverse ethnic groups have influenced urban American culture.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author employs a qualitative comparative essay approach, utilizing historical and cultural documentation to draw parallels and contrasts between the two cities.
What topics are discussed in the main section?
The main section details the history of immigration, the evolution of local culture through food and art, and the specific socioeconomic conditions within ethnic neighborhoods like Chinatown and the Lower East Side.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Immigration, Cultural Influence, Ethnic Neighborhoods, Urban History, and Multiculturalism.
How did the gold rush influence San Francisco specifically?
The discovery of gold served as the primary catalyst for massive population growth, drawing diverse groups to work in mines and on the transcontinental railway.
How does New York differ from San Francisco regarding slum areas?
The paper notes that while New York historically developed large, dense immigrant slums like the Lower East Side, such large-scale segregated areas are less characteristic of San Francisco.
What is the role of geography in the immigrants' choice of city?
The text suggests that geographical proximity plays a role, with the East Coast being more accessible to European migrants, while the West Coast serves as a gateway for Latin American and Asian populations.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2016, Immigration to the U.S.: Comparison of the East and West Coast, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1141821
