Now that you have met the immigrants, determined where they have come from, and why they left their homelands, it is time to see the effects of the European immigration on the United States.

Through your research, you have discovered that most European immigrants landed in major cities such as New York City, Chicago, Boston, and others. You will investigate some of these areas to see if spatial diffusion is evident in a specific location.

Activity

Examine both photos. The first photo is a historic photo of Mulberry Street in New York City (taken about 1900), which is also called "Little Italy" because it is the main street in the neighborhood where most Italian immigrants settled as they moved into the area. Take a look at the photo and compare it to the second photo of Mulberry Street today (taken in 2009).

In your notes:

  1. List three similarities
  2. List three differences
  3. List three items from the first photo (1900) that indicates spatial diffusion
  4. List three items from the second photo (2009) that indicates spatial diffusion
Mulberry Street circa 1900
Image of Mulberry Street taken in the early 1900s. The street is crowded on both sides with various people and activities. The streets are lined with fresh produce vendors. The sidewalks are also crowded with people walking, but also with shops and vendors on the sidewalk. There are also horse-drawn carriages on the street.

Source: Mulberry Street, "Little Italy" in New York City, Library of Congress

Mulberry Street circa 2009
Image of modern-day Mulberry Street. The street is crowded with people walking. The street and sidewalks are lined with shops and vendors.

Source: Mulberry Street, Brian Dube, New York Daily Photo