How Does Ellis Island Affect Society

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Did you know that about 40% of U.S. citizens have at least one ancestor that entered through Ellis Island? Many people cannot comprehend what impact Ellis Island made them. Whether it changed us 100 years ago or today’s era, Ellis Island has certainly influenced society. The immigration center, Ellis Island, impacted the United States in the 1800s and 1900s by introducing new races and ethnicities while revolutionizing the United States’s economy, history, and everyday life. In the 1700s, Ellis Island was no more than a mound of dirt in the Upper New York Bay. However, on November 18, 1774, Samuel Ellis purchased the Island. His intentions were to transform the island into a tavern for fisherman to dock and eat, however, his death in 1794 made it unable to happen. Ownership of the island was passed on …show more content…

A third island was built as well. A few years later, a hospital and laundry building were assembled to benefit the workers and immigrants. Also, a railroad ticket office was added to the main building. Now, Ellis Island was well built, ready for fires and immigrants. During the 1900s, Ellis Island prospered greatly. In 1907, Ellis Island reached their peak year and processed over 1,200,000 immigrants. However, fewer immigrants started to arrive due to the Great European War in 1914, since the island was shared with the navy for a station. That did not stop Ellis Island from prospering though. As the years passed, Ellis processes thousands of immigrants each day. When the United States decided to enter the war siding with Great Britain and France, Ellis Island was once again used as a navy station. The hospitals were also reserved for wounded soldiers that needed medical attention. Also, aliens were detained on the island. This attracted lots of attention and publicity to Ellis Island, increasing the number of immigrants processed and recorded each

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