Grade 8 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 7, Lesson 4

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
A More Perfect Union

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 7, Lesson 4: The Next Wave of Immigrants (pp. 210-215)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Diversity Seeking better opportunities, a large wave of immigrants came to America in the 1850s.

Compare and contrast the circumstances under which the German and Irish emigrated to the United States. Examine the effect of these different circumstances on the opportunities available to each group after arrival.

Explore the negative reactions to immigrants, from fear of competition to anti-Catholic feeling. Discuss with students the political response, especially the American or "Know-Nothing" party. Point out that this party had some political power for a period of time, and explain what brought that influence to an end.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Have students use the map on page 213 to write a paragraph explaining why German and Irish immigrants settled where they did. Encourage them to include the circumstances of each group's move and what opportunities were available to each after arrival.
Have each student a cartoon from the point of view of a recent immigrant illustrating his or her understanding of the American Party.

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