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This
unit examines two waves of immigration from Mexico to Oregon. The first
group arrived in the years following the Second World War under the
Bracero program. The second group began arriving in the 1980’s and
continues to the present day. These activities allow student to gain a
historical perspective through chronological ordering. Also, they
investigate the specific demographic differences between the groups, in
terms of occupations held, settlement patterns, and cultural impact on
the state.
This history also serves as a “case study” that
introduces students to the general phenomena that characterize human
migration. Students learn about the basic “push” and “pull” factors
that motivate migration and study details of the consequences of
displacement on peoples and their communities. Changes in demographics
have an impact on every aspect of human activity, language, and
culture. Specifically, the unit is designed to lead students to explore
the following key questions:
- When did immigrants from Mexico first come to Oregon? What motivated them to leave their home communities?
- Where in the state have Spanish-speaking immigrants settled, and what factors influenced their final destination?
- How
have successive waves of immigration from Mexico changed over the past
half century? What factors influence their continued arrival and
movement?
- What cultural footprints have Spanish-speaking immigrants left (or are now leaving) on the state?
This
historical perspective highlights the persistent presence of Spanish
speakers in the Northwestern US, and the study of the circumstances of
each wave of migration should serve to illuminate changing attitudes
towards immigration in the different periods.
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