Perspectives

Monday, April 23, 2012

The Footprints of Immigration by Dustine Emerson

Abstract

The consequences of immigration, both positive and negative, are present everywhere. The same showed true of immigrants who entered the U.S. in the 1980s and 90s. Migrants overwhelmingly affected the environment negatively upon entering, adopting, and mixing their high fertility rate with a highly destructive culture. These damaging beliefs effect more than just the United States, but everyone involved in trading. The carrying capacities of multiple regions of the world are in danger as a result. By providing viable solutions, not only would carrying capacity be stabilized and conditions of third-world countries improved, American culture could become less harsh to the land we humans call home.

The Footprints of Immigration

America was built from immigrants crossing oceans to settle upon the blessed lands of North America. These immigrants were seeking an opportunity for a new life and newfound freedom. As they came, they spread throughout the countryside, desperate for enough land to feed their families. As time elapsed, crafts expanded and settlers could earn more money. People became rich and eagerly wanted more. More money, more land, and a higher standard of living were a few things that they sought. When newer technology was developed, such as cars and televisions, and became affordable for the average American, many people purchased them without much thought of the environment. When this breakthrough of technology expanded, modern America was born. People pursued bigger, better, and cheaper items.

The impact of immigration on the country has always been felt. The vast majority of immigrants came to the United States looking for something better than what they left behind. They did not always leave everything behind though. What these newcomers brought helped to create a vast pool of swirling ideologies. As they mixed, they developed, for better or worse, into the culture that was present at one time in the 1980s and 90s. Indeed, this new culture helped increase environmental degradation by both immigrants and natives. As a result, fundamental environmental ecosystems are in threat of destruction. Together, peoples of the past could have placed the world on a path of success by reducing U.S. consumption and aiding in finding solutions for problems faced by needy nations.

Immigration into the country has been on a constant climb throughout the time period. According to Julian Simon, author of pro-immigration Population Matters, illegal immigration ceased to exist from 1977 to 1990 (265). During this time, immigration accounted for half of the country’s population growth, while the other half was comprised of all births (Scheider). A contributor of this growth was immigration exceeding emigration by nearly eight times (DinAlt). Undoubtedly, “the American population, almost uniquely in the developed world, continues to grow” (Brimelow 188).

While immigration is by no means the primary source of America's environmental problems, it is a key contributor. According to Jason DinAlt, “by becoming Americans they [immigrants] adopt the consumption and pollution patterns of the world’s most environmentally destructive lifestyle”. Most of these contributors came from ten countries: Russia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, China, India, the Dominican Republic, Korea, Jamaica, and Iran (DinAlt). These countries have contrasting lifestyles to that of the United States in terms of consumption. Of the ten countries sending the most immigrants, eight nations’ immigrants increased their energy consumption in excess of five hundred percent, six over a thousand. Though carbon dioxide production from land use decreased, it increased for every country as a result of the rise in industry (DinAlt). Food was no different. Cattle and fish consumption also rose for all but Russia, ranging from sixty to 1,648 percent (DinAlt). Individually, these statistics might not seem like much, but considering the number of people who have migrated, they might be surprising.

The more dramatic statistics concern pesticide use and car use. Though pesticide use decreased for Russia by nineteen percent, other countries such as Vietnam saw an increase by an amazing 11,214 percent. Finally, regarding car usage, many immigrants lacked vehicles in their home county, or they were not widely used. Of the top ten countries sending immigrants to the

U.S., every nation's immigrants saw an increase up to a staggering 32,350 percent (DinAlt).

Contributing to the surprising environmental impact of immigrants is their fertility rate. “The heaviest load most immigrants place on the environment is their high birth rate” (DinAlt). While America was at replacement fertility during the 80s and 90s, other countries were above this level, meaning more children were being born from immigrants. If their children have the same birth rate, population growth increases exponentially.

The immigrants themselves cannot be forgotten. They, too, contributed to America’s population growth. Impact increases, even if consumption was to decrease, since population growth increases (Schneider). The President's Council on Sustainable Development stated in 1996 that "stabilizing the population without changing consumption and waste production patterns would not be enough; neither would action on consumption and waste without efforts to stabilize population. Each is necessary; neither is sufficient" (Schneider). Culture affected the environment just as much as immigration.

American culture consists of people who constantly want more of everything. This destructive culture has consumed massive amounts of vegetation, animals, and animal products, and has produced mountains of waste. Born in the 1990s, a baby in this country is destined to produce 26.4 million pounds of waste, whether it is atmospheric, solid, or liquid. That same child will end up eating, on average, 116.6 thousand pounds of vegetation and animal products. The child will consume an additional two thousand animals. On top of waste and food, 7.03 million kilowatt-hours of electricity are estimated to be generated in order to support his or her lifestyle (Hall). To provide for new homes, additional roads, schools, and other services, not including land for crops and cattle, approximately one acre was destroyed for each fresh immigrant (DinAlt). When immigrants change their lifestyles from a shortage to abundance by migrating to another area, that new area’s carrying capacity becomes threatened.

Carrying capacity is defined as “the number of people who can be sustainably supported

in a given area” (Population-Environment Balance, Inc, emphasis added). This definition includes the ability for the land to supply resources needed for life, most importantly, water, food, and shelter (Population-Environment Balance, Inc). As immigrants entered the U.S., demand for these and other resources increased. As a result, degradation around the world rose, strengthening the desire for more immigrants to leave their nations (Schneider). This process exemplifies the positive feedback loop, which leads to exponential growth (Schneider).

Carrying capacity possesses the ability to change with the surrounding environment. As resources are depleted or degraded, carrying capacity decreases. When the resources are moved from one area to another, the carrying capacity of the area from which the resources were transferred also decreases while the other location’s carrying capacity either remains the same or has an unstable increase (Population-Environment Balance, Inc). “The problem is that . . . such migration not only threatens the carrying capacity of the destination countries, but also creates the harmful illusion that continued population growth is an acceptable option” (Population-Environment Balance, Inc). Ireland suffered a similar problem multiple times with the potato famines. When Ireland introduced the potato in the 18^th century, carrying capacity temporarily increased as many saw the benefits of the new crop. When the crops failed repeatedly, the carrying capacity quickly fell below the population level. As a result, many perished and mass migrations occurred (Population-Environment Balance, Inc). Something very similar could happen to any country around the world if it exceeds carrying capacity. In fact, it already happens. Animals commonly exceed their carrying capacity in ecosystems, and large die-backs reduce their populations, consequently creating a lower carrying capacity.

It would be wrong to say that U.S. immigration was effected solely through environmental conditions (Political Research Associates). Social unrest and economic instability also influence immigration (Political Research Associates). Even so, no matter the cause, immigration to America has important environmental consequences. It would also be wrong to say supporters of immigration are not correct, to a degree. They place not even the slightest blame on immigration. They are quick to point at the “Anti-Immigrant Right," the government, and corporations (Political Research Associates). It is true that all three have contributed to environmental problems. But looking closer, not everyone on the Right is anti-immigrant. In particular, corporations make products as demand increases. A larger domestic market, which is increased through immigration, contributes to this increase in demand.

Though a British immigrant himself, Peter Brimelow has been a strong supporter of immigrant restrictions. Brimelow is the editor of the anti-immigrant website VDARE.com (HarperCollins Publishers). Despite the fact many radicals see some of his conclusions as racist, he cleverly used social, economic, political, and environmental reasoning in his national best-seller Alien Nation (Brimelow x). In his book, Brimelow explains that one of the problems is the fact that “Washington’s immigration and environmental policies are working in opposite directions” and suggests that if they work together, they could achieve common goals (188).

Had the two groups worked together in the past, leaders could have started an agenda to stabilize population growth and resource use. Perhaps the most critical is the notion that immigrants should have been encouraged to stay in their countries. The majority of immigrants were young and eager to work. Many of these “possess[ed] extensive educations, and professional capabilities in greater proportions than the native labor force” but still decided to emigrate (Simon 268-269). This emigration is problematic. Many who left their countries were “the politically dissatisfied or economically unfulfilled” (Population-Environment Balance, Inc). They should have been improving standards in their home countries. These are the people that should have stayed home since they are the type of people who carry the most motivation. They could have used this motivation could be used to solve the problems they faced by raising standards and subsequently reducing birth rate.

In addressing the problem today, international aid by first-world countries must be increased and made more effective in reaching these goals to help these motivated individuals further reduce population growth and improve sustainability (Schneider). Yet, encouraging immigrants to stay home does not end immigration. Consider carrying capacity once again. The amount that can be sustained in an area is constant, unless other environmental factors are at work. There is always migration, including emigration. Immigration should be equal to the level of emigration, not necessarily eliminated (Population-Environment Balance, Inc). Equally important, America’s consumption as a percentage of global consumption must be decreased. After all, twenty five percent of the world’s population consumed roughly seventy percent of all nonrenewable resources (International Fund for Agricultural Development). Concurrently, the United States used close to seventy seven times that of developing countries’ consumption of water (International Fund for Agricultural Development). Leon Bouvier and Lindsey Grant state through many graphical representations of U.S. projected population that birth rate and immigration must be reduced (Bouvier 114). At the time of their research, cutting immigration to two hundred thousand or even one million, in combination with lower birth rates, would still increase population until 2030 and 2050 respectively (111, 120). There is no question that

immigration should have been and still should be reduced to get the nation on track.

Simply mentioning immigration reform makes one the target of multiple accusations by a variety of individuals. “One is labeled xenophobic, racist or worse” (113). Logically, immigration should have been reduced, but not necessarily eliminated. Immigration into America encourages adoption of a culture that is destructive to the environment. More people add to the destruction. Does this make immigrants the source of these problems? Absolutely not, but, nevertheless, their numbers have to decrease to prevent their addition to these environmental problems. Should they receive help and resources? Without question.

America has always been a beacon of great opportunity that many could only dream about. Together, immigrants created unbelievable diversities of religion, color, language, and culture. At the time, no one imaged filling the vast territories, for they were seen as a whole new world. Unfortunately, like a bathtub, the land filled and people began to build up. It is hard for some to believe, but no species can continue to build without possible consequences. The “next Irish potato famine” could be very near, and with ten billion or so people, there will be nowhere to flee.

Works Cited

Bouvier, Leon F. and Lindsey Grant. How Many Americans? Population, Immigration, and the

Environment. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1994. Print.

Brimelow, Peter. Alien Nation: Common Sense about America’s Immigration Disaster. New

York: Random House, 1995. Print.

DinAlt, Jason. “The Environmental Impact of Immigration into the United States.” Carrying

Capacity Network's Focus. Vol. 4, No. 2 (1997): n. pag. Web. 15 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.carryingcapacity.org/DinAlt.htm>.

Hall, Charles A. S., et al. “The Environmental Consequences of Having a Baby in the United

States.” Population and Environment. Vol. 15, No. 6 (1994): 509-510. Web. 24 Mar.

2012. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/27503370?seq=5>.

HarperCollins Publishers. Peter Brimelow. 2012. harpercollins.com. Web. 25 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/1138/Peter_Brimelow/index.aspx>.

International Fund for Agricultural Development. Combating Environmental Degradation.

ifad.org. Web. 25 Mar. 2012. <http://www.ifad.org/events/past/hunger/envir.html>.

Political Research Associates. Immigrants and the Environment. PRA, 2002. publiceye.org.

Web. 24 Mar. 2012. <http://www.publiceye.org/ark/immigrants/Environment.html>.

Population-Environment Balance, Inc. “Why Excess Immigration Damages The Environment”.

Population and Environment. Vol. 13, No. 4 (1992): 303-312. Web. 25 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.jstor.org/stable/27503261?seq=1>.

Schneider, Dick. “Population Growth and the Environment.” SUSPS. (1998): n. pag. Web. 24

Mar. 2012. <http://www.susps.org/ibq1998/discuss/growth.html>.

Simon, Julian L. Population Matters: People, Resources, Environment, and Immigration. New

Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 1990. Print.

Irish Immigrants in the 1800's by Sam Mayfield

ABSTRACT

I chose the topic of Irish immigrants in the 1800’s because it seemed interesting to me due to the fact that I believe some of my ancestors to be of Irish descent. This paper looks at reasons for Irish immigrants coming to the United states as well as the kind of life they faced here and the degree of prejudice that they had to put up with. The topic of the potato famine is briefly discussed along with some Irish political figures of the time.

Irish Immigrants in the 1800’s

The Irish immigrants coming to the United States during the nineteenth century helped shape this country into what it is today. The Irish were a proud people that took pride in wherever the called home; whether that be the rolling hills of Ireland or the big cities of nineteenth century America and wherever they traveled, a rich culture was left in their wake. This culture can be seen in various establishments across America and is part of a rich heritage that the United States would not have today had it not been for the hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrants that arrived during the 1800’s.

Irish immigrants entering the United States in the early 1800s were not of the poorest from the country of Ireland. The ten-guinea transatlantic fare was high enough that the majority of the Irish entering America were artisans or tenant farmers and would have had at least a moderate means of supporting themselves (McCaffery 59). This was not the case for everyone who was leaving Ireland. Most of the pre-1815 Irish Catholics to leave Ireland were poor and went to Britain instead of America because the fare was cheaper and they were closer to home (McCaffery 60). Some of these poor people were only in Britain temporarily. The harvest workers would work just long enough to make enough money to pay rent to their Irish landlordsbefore making the trip back to Ireland, while immigrants holding other jobs that were less seasonal would more often remain in Britain (McCaffery 60). After 1815, the pace of immigrants arriving to America from Ireland rapidly increased from less than 6,000 per year to more than 200,000 per year in 1850 (Irish Immigration). In an attempt to present an image of success, many immigrants would write home to their families and exaggerate how wonderful life in America was in their letters (McCaffery 61). This helped fuel the rapid increase of immigrants from Ireland because not only were their family members getting the impression that life in America was easy, they werereceiving money to pay for their ticket across the Atlantic. One immigrant, Margaret Wright, sent this in a letter to Alexander McNish in New York after receiving a letter from him telling about how great of a place America was to live:

“America with us bears the character of the land of freedom and of liberty and is accounted like the land of promise flowing with milk and honey. Thus how desirable would such a place be to those laboring under Egyptian bondage increasing and seemingly to increase every day without the smallest gleam of hope. Such is the state of this Countrey and such are our sentiments with respect to america. Now my desire is that you would Substantiate your former proposal & by some means or other procure me an entrance into that land of happiness where I might by industry obtain a competence in life without being dependent on the mercenary and covetous for a miserable and wretched support;”(Miller, Schrier, Boling, Doyle 46-47).

With the establishment of a poor Irish-Americanculture in the United States, the amount of anti-Irish prejudice , which was already present, intensified to the point where it didn’t matter if the Irish had degrees or money, the Irish were still considered enemy aliens and targets of the American nativism culture[1] (McCaffery 85). New York in the late1830’s and early 1840’s was the staging ground for many intense emotional conflicts fought between the nativists and the Catholic Irish over which version of the Bible should be taught in public schools. The Irish, believing that the public school boards were dominated by evangelical Protestants, sought the freedom to cultivate their children’s faith as they saw fit (Kenny). To obtain this freedom, the Catholics established their own denominational schools and demanded state aid to fund them (McCaffery 91). By the mid 1830’s the nativists were openly attacking the Irish because of their faith. A convent was burned down in 1834 and in 1844 nativists burned down two Catholic churches in the dispute over which version of the bible, the Catholic one or the Protestant King James version, should be taught in school (Kenny).[2]

The year 1845 saw the beginning of the Irish Potato Famine, a time when nearly twenty percent of the population of Ireland died due to a fungus that caused the annual potato crops which seventy-five percent of the population relied on for sustenance to rot on the vine (O’Connor). More deaths occurred in Ireland during this time because of the famine than all of Britain lost in any war from 1688 to the present (O’Connor). The famine helped push some 1.8 million people, mostly poor farmers and laborers, out of Ireland and into Eastern Canada and the United states (The Story of Irish Immigration). Irish immigrants made up almost half of all immigrants entering the United States in the 1840s and by the 1850s that number had decreased to almost one-third but these figures are still remarkable due to the fact that Ireland is no larger than the state of Maine, nor has its population ever risen above 8.5 million people (Kenny).

The replacement of traditional sailing vessels by steamship during the 1860’s made it possible for more and more immigrants to arrive yearly (O’Connor). A steamship shortened the travel time to fourteen days and improved travel conditions greatly (O’Connor). After Irish emigration to the United States peaked during the famine, a steady flow of people continued to arrive to the United States throughout the last half of the nineteenth century. From 1870 to 1900, more than one and a half million Irish immigrants entered the United States, most of them into the harbor of New York City (McCaffery). During this time, Irish politicians had taken control of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine that controlled much of the politics of New York City (irish American journey). In the year 1872, with Tammany Hall in control of Catholic politicians from or with Irish ancestry, Charles O’Conor was nominated for the Presidency of the United States by the “Straight-Out Democrats” who refused to accept Horace Greely, who was the regular Democratic candidate during this time (Griffin). Charles O’Conor was the first Catholic ever nominated for the Presidency, however, he declined to run (Griffin).

The Irish immigrants of the 1800’s were a hard working people that helped shape the way we live today. Had it not been for the Irish political leaders of the time, many prominent,historic government officials would not have made it into office and the United States would be a slightly different place than it is today because of this. The most notable changes would be in big cities such as New York where Tammany Hall was controlled by Irish political figures for many decades. Whether they were fleeing poverty only to end up in poverty, or fleeing starvation during the great potato famines, or just making the journey across the Atlantic to be with family and friends, hundreds of thousands of proud Irish Americans helped shaped this country into what it is today and the evidence is everywhere one looks.

Works Cited

Griffin, William D. The Irish in America, 550-1972; a Chronology & Fact Book. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications, 1973. Print.

"Irish Immigration." Spartacus Educational. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAEireland.htm>.

Kenny, Kevin. "Irish Immigrants in the United States." America. 13 Feb. 2008. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.america.gov/st/peopleplace-english/2008/February/20080307131416ebyessedo0.6800043.html>.

McCaffrey, Lawrence John. The Irish Diaspora in America. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 1976. Print.

Miller, Kerby A. Irish Immigrants in the Land of Canaan: Letters and Memoirs from Colonial and Revolutionary America, 1675-1815. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2003. Print.

O'Connor, Ray. "Irish Immigration." Bryant University. Apr. 1997. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://web.bryant.edu/~ehu/h364proj/sprg_97/oconner/index.htm>.

"The Story of Irish Immigration." Home for the Heart. Spring 2002. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ailf.org/exhibit/ex_irishim.htm>.

[1] Immigrants born in America feeling as if they were superior to other immigrants

[2] The anti-Catholicism mindset remained a part of the American culture up until the 1960’s when John F. Kennedy was elected president of the United States

German Immigrant Influence on American Culture by Rachael Faulkenberry

ABSTRACT

It is easy for Americans today to focus on the present day issues and, as a result, fail to acknowledge the history of how our culture was created. With many different countries entering the United States all at once, the American culture became an amalgamation of all different cultures. However, German culture stands apart from others as being one of the most prominent cultures that impacted American principles. The significant impact of beliefs, language, values, and traditions of the Germans on the American culture is a result of their wide diversity of talents and knowledge. In the following paper, one will find how Germany significantly changed the way we see America today, why its culture stood out amongst all the other cultures that entered the United States, as well as what the nation would look like today without German influence.

German Immigrant Influence on American Culture

In 1763, an ordinary German family gave birth to a man who would, one day, dramatically impact the business world. John Jacob Astor grew up helping his father in Waldorf, Germany selling milk until one day he moved to London to learn more about the international trade industry. In 1783, Astor moved to New York City and began to buy fur from the Native Americans. Once he saw how successful this industry was, John opened up the American Fur Company which expanded all across the country. By his death in 1848, John Jacob Astor had approximately $20 million (World Biography). This man who came from an ordinary family in Germany was able to expand his ideas in America and, as a result, is now looked on as a man who was able to change the way business in America is handled. John Jacob Astor is just one out of millions who brought his culture from Germany over to America and, as a result, significantly impacted America and how it runs today. By means of their language, wide variety of skills, customs and strength, German culture has made a significant impact on America.

Beginning in the 18^th century, Germans began to feel the wrath of economic decline as well as religious and political persecution. Foreign companies began to impede on German markets, causing many German families to struggle to keep their business afloat (Immigration Library). In the 1800’s, “they also sought to escape the political unrest caused by riots, rebellion and eventually a revolution in 1848” (Irish and German Immigration). German families jumped at the opportunity to escape hardship in their homeland and come to the “land of opportunity”. Once in America, the Germans dispersed and planted their families all over the country. Although many moved to southern states such as Texas, the majority of German families lived in Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, Maryland, Virginia, and New York (Immigration Library). This unique society differs from other countries that had immigrants because, due to their wide variety of skills, Germans were able to live in cold weather, warm weather, major cities, or small towns (Newburg). As a result of the Germans moving to areas all over the country, their culture was integrated into the American system.

One way Germany has succeeded in embedding their culture in America’s culture is through the commercial industry. Immigrants from Germany included everyone from farmers to business men. If they were farmers, they typically moved to Texas, Kansas, and other mid-western states. If they were businessmen, they typically stayed in larger cities such as New York City, St. Louis or Pittsburgh. Many immigrants from countries other than Germany usually stayed in large groups and chose landscapes similar to their homeland’s to prosper. Consequently, their culture stayed mainly in one area in the U.S. rather than spreading all around the country. The Germans determination and skill diversity facilitated their impact on culture in America.

Although Germans were able to settle all across the country, they, like other immigrants stayed close together and formed small communities. In fact, “districts inhabited by German immigrants, usually called “Llittle Germanys.” were thriving with German American life in the 19^th century” (Moltmann and Hartmurt 145). By having these small areas in towns where everyone spoke the same language, Germans were able to do business and also have a social life that reflected their homeland culture (Moltmann and Hartmurt Germans to America). These small communities slowly began to expand and impact the cities in which they were located, allowing the German culture to become more prevalent in the United States (Moltmann and Hartmurt 150). One example of how these German towns are still prevalent to America today is the observation of the Amish belief. From all over the country, the Amish have exemplified the lifestyle of the Germans: independence and self-sufficiency (Amish People). They come from German descent and still uphold certain practices of Germany as well as speaking English and Pennsylvanian Dutch, a dialect of German with English combined). Although most Amish families reside in Pennsylvania, one can find large Amish communities in states such as Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa (Hostetler, The Mennonites and Amish). This present example of German life is just one of the many aspects brought from America to Germany. Not only were America’s commercial industries and towns affected by the Germans, but their language was also affected by the ever rising number of German immigrants.

When mass groups from different countries immigrated to the new land (America), language barriers began to become increasingly prevalent. Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, as well as several other languages were compiled together into one country. Fortunately for the Germans, their widespread movement of families throughout America made German one of the most popular languages in the country. In the book Germans and the Americans, Frank Trommler and Joseph McVeigh state that

“a study sponsored by the American Council of Learned Societies established that in 1790 roughly 277,000 Americans were of German ancestry.... [also,] when asked about the ancestry in the 1980 census, 188 million Americans reported one or more ethnic ties. ‘Germany’ was the answer of more than 49.2 million persons, only slightly fewer than the 49.6 million who claimed English ancestry. Seventeen states along the northern tier of the United States, plus Alaska, had more persons listing Germany as the ancestral origin than any other country” (227).

The large percentage of Germans in America caused their language to be more prominent. Although German did not become the primary language in the U.S., it is still a common language today. German was actually one of the leading languages taught in most colleges and universities in the 1900’s. The German language impacted American culture by German named towns or ancestral prevalence. Many names such as Fredericksburg and New Berlin come from the German language (Trommler 238). Also, many in America study and speak the German language due to their ancestral background, causing business or communities to use German related terms or words (Trommler 238-239).

Germans successfully impacted American cuisine by introducing pastries, meats, and, most of all, beer. Food such as the bratwurst, pretzel, strudels, German chocolate cake, hot dogs, and sauerkraut are all German cuisines that are still served on Americans plates today. When the Germans immigrated to the U.S., they brought with them their homemade culinary recipes that quickly became incorporated within the American cuisine. Although beer was already introduced to America by the Europeans, Germans popularized the alcoholic drink by using technology and new techniques. Germans were able to adjust to the available tools in order to produce fine quality beer (German influence on American Culture, 18). Not only did Germans influence America’s culinary culture, they also impacted America’s holidays and social occasions (Mai, German Influence on American Culture).

Unbeknown to many Americans today, many popular holidays and celebrations have strong German influenced backgrounds. After immigrating to the U.S., the wide spread of German towns created a base for the German culture to influence households with their unique traditions. Whether it was festivities or holiday practices, German culture quickly became integrated into each household in America. The largest German celebration held in America is the widely known Oktoberfest. This event began in Germany in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding (History of Oktoberfest). Since then, Oktoberfest has been celebrated every September/October. When the Germans immigrated to the U.S., they carried this festivity over to celebrate life and love. Every year, Americans join in the fun with carnival rides, German food, beer, and laughs. Another way German culture can be seen within America’s holiday celebrations are their personal touches found within holidays. For instance, German culture is evident within the Christmas season. Candles commonly found in windows as well as nativity scenes made out of wood or clay both have German roots. The biggest factor of Christmas that comes from Germany, however, is the common Christmas tree (German influence on American Culture 24-25). These two celebratory events are just a couple of the many holidays and traditions that have German backgrounds. Without the German traditions spreading throughout America, holidays today would look drastically different in American households. If German culture failed to influence American culture to the extent they did, the United State would look drastically different than what individuals see today.

In the 18^th and 19^th centuries, valiant individuals made the intimidating but exciting journey to the “land of opportunity” in order to live a prosperous life as well as impact the world. Hundreds of years later, their traditions have become a common aspect of American culture. Whether it’s the business setting, language, food, or holidays, Americans cannot avoid strong German impacts on their culture. Without these integrated cultural similarities, the United States would not be as technologically advanced, their dialect would be altered, common foods such as the hot dog or beer would not be as common, and many holiday traditions would be non-existent. As a result of these contributions to America, German culture has dramatically impacted the way Americans live their life even to present day.

Works Cited

"Amish People...." Amish People: People Who Are Amish. Amish Country. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. <http://www.amishcountryvirtualtours.com/amish_people.html>.

Hostetler, John A. "The Mennonites and Amish." Rpt. in Pennsylvania History. 3rd ed. Vol. 23. Penn State University, 1956. 330-34. Web. <http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.lib.uwf.edu/stable/27769666>

"Immigration Library." Energy of a Nation. The Advocates for Human Rights. Web. 24 Mar. 2012. <http://www.energyofanation.org/4e667f77-e302-4c1a-9d2e-178a0ca31a32.html?nodeid=>.

"Irish and German Immigration." Irish and German Immigration [ushistory.org]. U.S. History Online Textbook. Web. 24 Mar. 2012. <http://www.ushistory.org/us/25f.asp>.

Newburg , Maddison. "Irish and German Immigration into the United States." Suite101.com. 12 Dec. 2010. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. <http://maddison-newburg.suite101.com/irish-and-german-immigration-into-the-unites-states-a319846>.

Mai, Sesiunea. "German Influence on American Culture (ATESTAT ENGLEZA)." Scribd. 2008. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. <http://www.scribd.com/doc/4366552/German-Influence-on-American-CultureATESTAT-ENGLEZA>.

Moltmann, Günter, and Hartmut Bickelmann. Germans to America: 300 Years of Immigration, 1683 to 1983. Stuttgart: Published by Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations in cooperation with Inter Nationes, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, 1982. Print.

"Munich's Oktoberfest History Page." OFEST.COM. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ofest.com/history.html>.

Trommler, Frank, and Joseph McVeigh. America and the Germans: An Assessment of a Three-Hundred-Year History. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1985. Print.

"World Biography." John Jacob Astor Biography. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. <http://www.notablebiographies.com/An-Ba/Astor-John-Jacob.html>.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Welcome to Perspectives

"Perspectives” is an online journal whose goal is twofold:
first, to provide new and emerging writers a forum in which they may present their work; and second to provide readers, both those who enjoy history and those who have yet to discover historical writing, access to material that may pique their interest in historical characters or periods, especially those which may have been obscured or overlooked by mainstream understanding and study of history.

Join us!
"Becoming Americans: Immigration over the Centuries"
Conference style presentation of our final papers will be
Monday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 25
1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:45
Papers will be presented in a panel format
followed by time for
questions and answers from the audience
Building 11, Room 217

Conference Title:
"Becoming Americans: Immigration over the Centuries"
Course Topic: Immigration

This journal was originally created as a graduate project for a 2011 Creative Writing workshop on publishing. It has since been revamped to give Composition II students at the Univeristy of West Florida a forum to present their final papers. Selected papers from the M-W courses taught by Beth Rodgers will be presented as individual entries in this journal (see the table of contents to the right under "Blog Archive").

Theme for this section of Comp II was published as follows: Immigration: Ellis Island and Beyond. "Although the issue of immigration is currently a ‘hot topic’ dividing those who are citizens against newcomers, we are, in fact, a nation of immigrants. Our exploration of the theme of immigration will include not only the immigrant’s motivations and experiences, but also how the concept of being an immigrant has evolved and changed over the years."

Our focus for the beginning of this course revolved around the history of immigration to the United States. Students were divided into groups and each group created a powerpoint presentation, an outline and a handout covering one century of immigration to America (1600's, 1700's, 1800's, and 1900's). They were asked to focus on a variety issues and research into the historical, sociological, and even the biological aspects of becoming an American, including but not exclusively through the gateway of Ellis Island. From this broad base of information, students were asked to focus on one idea on which they would write their final paper. We have undertaken this topic as follows:

viewed ABC News 20/20 documentary “Is America Number One?”(John Stossel, 1999);
considered first person accounts of immigrants and created profiles;
viewed the film Gangs of New York (Martin Scorsese);
viewed the documentary "Dying to Get In" (2007);
read and discussed the essay “The Great Divider” by George Saunders (as published in Braindead Megaphone).

Students were given the option to research and write on any era or any topic with the requirement that immigration or an immigrant had to play a central role in their research and their final paper. The contents of this journal represents the best work of the students in two sections of UWF Composition II, Spring 2012.

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Disclaimer: This blog journal is being revised as a project for Composition II, University of West Florida, Spring 2012. All papers published remain the sole property of the authors who indiviually retain the ownership of their intellectual property. Papers may not be copied for the purpose of plagiarism; such acts are governed by the University of West Florida and violators are subject to UWF rules. All material contained herein is covered by laws established under U.S. Copyright. All general blog contents (comments and introductions) are 2012 copyrighted by the editor.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Immigration in California by Kathleen Dieckmann

This paper explores immigration issues in California. It particularly emphasizes Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s impact on California’s immigration laws. It also considers how immigration issues were more personal for Schwarzenegger, who is an immigrant himself. As governor, Schwarzenegger was inconsistent about major immigration issues and struggled with making opportunities available to California’s Latino immigrants.

German Immigrant Influence on American Culture by Rachael Faulkenberry

Irish Immigrants in the 1800's by Sam Mayfield

Arnold Schwareznegger and Immigration in California by Kathleen Dieckmann

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Immigration in California

The governorship of Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California from November 17, 2003, to January 3, 2011, is an interesting case study of immigration and politics. An immigrant himself, he became tangled in California’s many immigration issues. During his term he struggled to find a clear position on the immigration issues in California.

Even before Schwarzenegger was elected, the issue of immigration was prevalent in the state. Many in California are immigrants, both legal and illegal (Schrag 70). In 1990, California’s immigrant population peaked at about thirty-three percentand then dropped a little to twenty-eight percent ten years later. (Weintraub154) This large immigrant population in California affects many things, such as the state’s costs (Schrag 243).

In California, according to the 2000 census, twenty-six percent of the state’s residents were born in another country (Weintraub 154).These immigrants costthe stateabout $3 billion for prisons and social services in 2003 (Gittelsohn 1). The immigrant population also raises costs for emergency services and hospitals. In 2003, the Los Angeles County Health Department estimated that it spent approximately $340 million per year on emergency and other healthcare services for undocumented immigrants. (Schrag 242).

The number of immigrants in California also affects the school system.In schools in California, about 25,000 graduate from high school each year without documentation to be able to stay in the United States or the right to federal college student aid (Jaschik 1). Schools in California feel the stress:

The point is made politely by groups like Californians for Population Stabilization … that “California cannot be expected to educate millions of children brought here by untold numbers of illegal aliens and millions of legal immigrants.” Schools have reached the crisis point. (Schrag 241)

Also costing California money are thousands of illegal immigrantsthat have been convicted of serious and violent crimes and are in prison.(Weintraub 154).

However, many Californians believe that undocumented workers contribute more in taxes than they receive back in services (Gittelsohn 1).In fact, “Polls showed that more than half of California adults believed that immigrants were more of a benefit than a burden to society, and seventy percent believed immigrants should be able to remain in the country if they were working” (Weintraub 165). Most of the resident population of California appears to not mind sharing the state with immigrants as long as the newcomers work and act lawfully.

Many immigrants in California are Mexicans that cross the California-Mexico border. Enforcement on the border with Mexico has been a problem for California. Despite the useof infrared scopes, electronic sensors, and communication devices, immigrants still cross the borderillegally (Schrag 70). A group called the Minutemen have been patrolling the border with Mexico and trying to control the flow of illegal crossing. Recently, they have begun to make a private security fence along the border (Zellen 1).

In 2003, California elected a new Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is himself an immigrant. Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in the Austrian village of Thal on July 30, 1947. A policeman’s son, he was raised in the poor years after World War II (Andrews 11-15). Schwarzenegger came to America at the end of September 1968 with nothing but a gym bag (Leigh 77-81). He had “a fierce hunger for something more—something big…[which]…brought him, near penniless, from his native Austria” (Starr 627). Schwarzenegger came to America to succeed in pursuing the American dream, and did so by being a famous celebrity, bodybuilder, and movie actor (Leigh 75). He told Andrews: “America is still the only country where you can do things…I love the mentality and open-mindedness. The spirit of America is so free. I love the way this country welcomes new ideas; it’s so different from Europe” (37).

With great success in bodybuilding and acting, Schwarzenegger gained a lot of money and fame in America.Blitz andKrasniewicz quote Schwarzenegger calling himself“‘the living breathing incarnation of the American Dream’” (17). Schwarzenegger’s Republican politics grew from his idea of America as a place free from an Austria-like government control that killed opportunities (Andrews 113).Weintraub discusses Schwarzenegger’s political position:

America, he said, was a place where you were free to live your own life, pursue you own goals, chase your own rainbow, without the government breathing down your neck or standing on your shoes. As he became a citizen and took an interest in partisan politics, Schwarzenegger identified himself very much a Republican. (10)

Schwarzenegger was determined to be on top.Schwarzenegger told himself that he was born to be different, to be powerful, and to be one of those people who were leaders (Leigh 18).

Once Schwarzenegger had fame and money, he next turned to achieving power (Andrews 114). He had often imagined having a political career (Starr 626-628). In 1986, Arnold Schwarzenegger, at the age of thirty-eight, married Maria Shriver making him part of the Kennedy clan by marriage association. This Austrian immigrant whocame to the United States with almost no money was now an adopted member of America’s most formidable political clan (Starr 11). His marriage to Maria Shriver made him even more motivated to be successful and powerful, since he wanted to outperform his wife’s family and the Kennedy legend (Andrews 258).

At age fifty-six he decided that it was time to move from movie star to a serious political candidate. Schwarzenegger ran for governor of California against Gray Davis in 2003. Schwarzenegger won the election, and a naturalized Austrian immigrant was now governor of California, one of the largest states with critical immigration issues (Starr 629). There are at least three major issues involving immigration in California. One of them is the border with Mexico. Second, there is the right of illegal immigrants to work, which includes havingdriver’s licenses. And finally, there is the right to education benefits for the children of illegal immigrants. Schwarzenegger held many mixed positions on immigration. In his analysis of Schwarzenegger’s politics, Weintraub writes:

On immigration, one of the most divisive issues of our time, Schwarzenegger has refused to choose sides. Instead, he has a foot in at least two camps. He is for securing the borders, unhappy with illegal immigration, and openly impatient with immigrants who do not embrace the United States, or the English language, as eagerly as he did. But he also is a big supporter of legal immigration and of providing some services to illegal immigrants, and he opposes proposals to send illegal immigrants home. (18)

Although Schwarzenegger may not identify with Mexican immigrants, California’s relationship with Mexico is deep. Mexican-Americans represent a quarter of the state’s population and a bigger percentage of youth. Mexico is also a big source of California’s work force (Gittelsohn1). Schwarzenegger’s stance toward Mexican immigrants wasto check their backgrounds for criminal activities, then get them working so they could contribute to the state (Weintraub 165). He had difficulty deciding if illegal immigration was tolerable. “Schwarzenegger has faced persistent criticism for supporting Proposition 187, a 1994 ballot measure that sought to keep illegal immigrants from receiving some state social services. In defending his vote, Schwarzenegger has said that “immigrants must follow the rules like he did” (Nissenbaum 1). Schwarzenegger disagreed with making illegal immigration a felony, but he also refused to pardon illegal immigrants (Weintraub 162).

Schwarzenegger became more hardline on the border issue during his governorship.

His eventual stance“reflected, he said, his long-standing belief that the country needed both to secure its borders and to provide a way for more people to immigrate legally, and for more businesses to find foreign workers when they needed them” (Weintraub 162).Schwarzenegger said that he supported civilians like the Minutemen who want to help and do a job that law enforcement cannot do (Loyd and Burridge 13). Schwarzenegger suggested in a campaign speech that the government should close the borders, but later he apologized and said that he had misspoken and had meant to say only that the border should be better secured (Mathews 357). Later Schwarzenegger said how he thought the issue should be solved: “The answer … is, first, to secure the border, to stop the problem from getting worse. Second, we must create a temporary-worker program so people can come here legally to work…. And we must create a path to legal status for those living in the shadows illegally”(Weintraub 163).Schwarzenegger saidhe thought that a border fence would be economically a disadvantage to the state (Zellen 7). But finally Schwarzenegger said “close the borders in California, all across Mexico and the United States,” (Weintraub 159).

Part of getting illegal immigrants to work involved allowing them to have driver’s licenses, since they would need to be able to drive legally to go to work. Californians disagreed on this issue. Some said that illegal immigration hurts the legal immigrants the most, because money and jobs get taken away from them by competition from illegals (Weintraub 155).Schwarzenegger disagreed with giving driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants (Mathews 266). However, he proposed that when the immigrants became legal, then they were free to have driver’s licenses (Weintraub 165).

Schwarzenegger was also involved with issues of education benefits for children of illegal immigrants. Schwarzenegger vetoed a law that would have allowed some undocumented students to apply for financial aid. He said that they might be taking away the financial aid from legal resident of California (Jaschik 1). Yet Schwarzenegger said“he would never agree to deny education to children, no matter what their immigration status” (Weintraub 155).

Schwarzenegger’s record on immigration shows the influence of his own immigrant experience. But it also reveals differences between his situation and many of California’s immigrants. There was perhaps also an element of racism. Schwarzenegger is a white European, while California’s immigrants are largely Latinos or Asians. Andrewsreports:

Arnold’s rightward bias seems undisputed, and according to one friend there is a ‘whiteward’ bias too. Rick Wayne remembers forceful opinions expressed in debates about the race question. ‘He told me a hundred times that the apartheid system was correct. He was deadly serious. We would have wars about this.’ (115)

So there were limits to how much he identified with California’s immigrants.

Schwarzenegger came to the United States to pursue the American Dream of success. Speaking at the 2004 Republican National Convention, Schwarzenegger said “To think that a once-scrawny boy from Austria could grow up to become governor of the state of California and then stand here in Madison Square Garden and speak on behalf of the president of the United States –that is an immigrant’s dream. It is the American Dream” (Elahi and Cos 460).

There has been a lot of controversy about the legality of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s own immigration to America. He entered on a B-1 visa, which does not allow the holder to earn wages, yet it appears that he did receive a salary for his bodybuilding activities. Schwarzenegger himself said that he got a salary: “In his autobiography, Schwarzenegger said that he was paid a weekly salary when he came to California-an arrangement a half-dozen immigration attorneys said his visa would have barred” (Nissenbaum 1).

As governor, immigrant Arnold Schwarzenegger was inconsistent about key immigration issues. He waivered about illegal immigration and the Mexican border.Schwarzenegger also shifted his positions regarding driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants and education benefits fortheir children. Schwarzenegger is the epitome of the poor and oppressed foreigner who achieveswealth, fame, and success through America’s opportunities. However, he struggled with how to make similar opportunities available to California’s Latino immigrants.

Works Cited

Andrews, Nigel. True Myths: The Life and Times of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Secaucus, N.J: Carol Publishing Group, 1996. Print.

Blitz, Michael, and Louise Krasniewicz. Why Arnold Matters: The Rise of a Cultural Icon. New York: Basic Books, 2004. Print.

Elahi, Babak, and Grant Cos. “An Immigrant’s Dream and the Audacity of Hope: The 2004 Convention Addresses of Barack Obama and Arnold Schwarzenegger.” American Behavioral Scientist 49.3 (2005): 454-465. Web. 27 February 2012.

Gittelsohn, John. “Schwarzenegger Talks Immigration, Trade.” Orange County Register. Orange County Register, 22 October 2003. Web. 27 February 2012.

Jaschik, Scott. “Schwarzenegger Vetoes DREAM Bill for Immigrant Students.”Inside Higher Ed. Inside Higher Ed, 15 October 2007. Web. 11 March 2012.

Leigh, Wendy. Arnold: An Unauthorized Biography. Chicago: Congdon& Weed, 1990. Print.

Loyd, Jenna M., and Andrew Burridge. “La Gran Marcha: Anti-Racism and Immigrants Rights in Southern California.” ACME: An International E-Journal for Critical Geographies (2007): 11-35. Web. 27 February 2012.

Mathews, Joe. The People's Machine: Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of Blockbuster Democracy. New York: Public Affairs, 2006. Print.

Nissenbaum, Dion. “Immigration Visa Issue Dogs Schwarzenegger.”Mercury News Sacramento Bureau.Mercury News Sacramento Bureau, 15 September 2003. Web. 27 February 2012.

Schrag, Peter. California: America's High-Stakes Experiment. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2006. Print.

Starr, Kevin. Coast of Dreams: California on the Edge, 1990-2003. New York: Knopf, 2004. Print.

Weintraub, Daniel. Party of One: Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of the Independent Voter. Sausalito, Calif: PoliPointPress, 2007. Print.

Zellen, Barry. “America’s Southern Front: Immigration, Homeland Security, and the Border Fencing Debate.” Strategic Insights V.5 (2006): 1-9. Web. 11 March 2012.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Welcome to Perspectives 2012

viewed ABC News 20/20 documentary “Is America Number One?”(John Stossel, 1999);
considered first person accounts of immigrants and created profiles;
viewed the film Gangs of New York (Martin Scorsese);
viewed the documentary "Dying to Get In" (2007);
read and discussed the essay “The Great Divider” by George Saunders (as published in Braindead Megaphone).

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