Immigration has been the number one topic that comes on the news every day but before going on with immigration, it is very important to look at the history of immigration in the United States. The United States is a country that was found by immigrants that wanted to have freedom and economic opportunity. The declaration of independence formed the beginning of the United States and most of the signers were immigrants. “Of fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence, eighteen were of non-English stock and eight were first-generation immigrants. Two immigrants-the West Indian Alexander Hamilton, who was Washington’s Secretary of the Treasury, and the Swiss Albert Gallatin, who held the same office under Jefferson-established the financial policies of the young republic” (Kennedy 64,65). This is very important information to know because it shows that immigrants in the United States have been around for quite some time; but most important is that immigrants have contributed to the development of this great nation.
There have been people who wanted to write about immigration but it is very difficult because it goes too far back in time. Oscar Handlin a historian has said, “Once I thought to write a history of the immigrants in America. Then I discovered that the immigrants were American history (Kennedy 64). Knowing the role that immigrants have had in the making of the United Sates, it is very important to take into consideration that immigrants will continue helping to the growth of this nation. The government instead of acknowledging this fact decides to construct a barricade to stop immigrants from coming in to the United States (CNN.COM). This was just a little bit of the history of immigrants; but one thing is for sure, immigrants have made a big contributribution to the power that this nation possesses.
There is more information coming in future posts regarding Immigration and it is going to clear-up many people’s minds, views and misconceptions of immigrants.
References
Kennedy, John F. A Nation of Immigrants. Revised and Enlarged Edition. New York: Harper and Row, Publishers, 1964.
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4 comments:
Nice start big guy. I am pleased that you are writing on the same subject as I am. I am excited to hear your point of view during the next couple of weeks. It will be very beneficial to the class that you and I are tackling the same issue from to different points of view.
Ben
I agree with your statement that some Americans are opposed to immigration however, that is not the case with all Americans. I am blogging on the same subject and I think that you will learn some shocking information once my blog page is completed. My family immigrated to this country years ago from the Caribbean Island of Guyana (located next to Venezula) and no we do not speak Spanish!!!!!!!! Good luck to you in all your writing.
I wonder, if as Ben writes in his comment, that you both are writing from the opposite point of view. Are there only two visions on immigration? Add myself and Monique to the list: we're also interested in this topic, and I am also excited to see what discussions emerge.
Great post here: just make sure to close that quote from Kennedy's book. Nice source!
I may go get some popcorn while I stay tuned for what I think will turn out to be a very heated debate. You three seem educated on this subject, but seem to be tackling it from different standpoints. Monique stated her family has immigrated. Do you also come from an imported family? I would be interested to see how the views on immigration differ among some of the larger countries. Are they more or less tolerant and how do their restrictions compare to ours.
Eat your Wheaties so you are prepared for the next battle of the views.
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