Question
Complete these activities.
Now turn your attention to the immigrant groups who settled in Kansas. Why did they leave their home countries, and why were they drawn to Kansas?
Click on the link below to view the article "Immigrants to Kansas: Why Did They Come?" on the Kansas State Historical Society's website. Select two immigrant groups related to Kansas to research. If possible, choose one connected to your heritage and one connected to your hometown or a nearby city or town.
Mexicans in Kansas:
The Story of Topeka
Kansas has had a relationship with Mexico for a long time. Mexico is a country in North
America. The Santa Fe Trail passed through Kansas. The trail connected the United States and
Mexico. American and Mexican traders traveled on the trail through Kansas. In the early days
only a few Mexicans immigrated to Kansas. As the railroads grew, more Mexicans immigrated
to the state.
Why did they leave Mexico?
Mexicans were like other immigrants. They came to Kansas looking for economic
opportunities. They also wanted a good life for their families.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, conditions in Mexico were difficult.
Many people lived in poverty. They were losing their jobs. The government of
Mexico was not stable. Many Mexicans were uncertain what the future
would bring.
Why did they come to Kansas?
Beginning in 1900, many Mexicans came to Kansas to find better jobs.
Americans would travel to the Mexican border to recruit workers. The
workers were brought to Kansas to work in the meatpacking plants
in Kansas City. Mexicans also found jobs with the sugar beet
industry near Garden City. Most Mexicans came to work
for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.
and
Lebanese in Kansas:
The Story of Wichita
The first Lebanese arrived in Wichita in 1895. At the time, Lebanon was not its own country. It
was part of the Ottoman Empire and was controlled by the Turks. Today Lebanon is a country
in the Middle East on the continent of Asia.
Why did they leave Lebanon?
Like other immigrants there were many reasons why the Lebanese left their homeland. Life in
Lebanon was hard, because they were ruled by another nation. Many Lebanese felt they had
very few political or personal freedoms.
Most of the Lebanese immigrants to the United States were Christians. As part of the Ottoman
Empire they were living in a country dominated by Muslims. There were often religious conflicts.
Many of the Lebanese were poor. They made their living by exporting olives, tobacco, and silk
to France and England. These goods were heavily taxed. Most of the crops grown by a farmer
went to pay his taxes.
Why did they come to Kansas?
Lebanese immigrants came to Kansas to make a better life for themselves and their families.
They were looking for religious freedom. They also wanted to escape the political situation in
their homeland.
The biggest reason they came to Kansas was for better economic opportunities. They were
looking for good jobs. Most often a young man or woman would travel to America alone.
Their plan was to save enough money to bring over their families
Now turn your attention to the immigrant groups who settled in Kansas. Why did they leave their home countries, and why were they drawn to Kansas?
Click on the link below to view the article "Immigrants to Kansas: Why Did They Come?" on the Kansas State Historical Society's website. Select two immigrant groups related to Kansas to research. If possible, choose one connected to your heritage and one connected to your hometown or a nearby city or town.
Mexicans in Kansas:
The Story of Topeka
Kansas has had a relationship with Mexico for a long time. Mexico is a country in North
America. The Santa Fe Trail passed through Kansas. The trail connected the United States and
Mexico. American and Mexican traders traveled on the trail through Kansas. In the early days
only a few Mexicans immigrated to Kansas. As the railroads grew, more Mexicans immigrated
to the state.
Why did they leave Mexico?
Mexicans were like other immigrants. They came to Kansas looking for economic
opportunities. They also wanted a good life for their families.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, conditions in Mexico were difficult.
Many people lived in poverty. They were losing their jobs. The government of
Mexico was not stable. Many Mexicans were uncertain what the future
would bring.
Why did they come to Kansas?
Beginning in 1900, many Mexicans came to Kansas to find better jobs.
Americans would travel to the Mexican border to recruit workers. The
workers were brought to Kansas to work in the meatpacking plants
in Kansas City. Mexicans also found jobs with the sugar beet
industry near Garden City. Most Mexicans came to work
for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.
and
Lebanese in Kansas:
The Story of Wichita
The first Lebanese arrived in Wichita in 1895. At the time, Lebanon was not its own country. It
was part of the Ottoman Empire and was controlled by the Turks. Today Lebanon is a country
in the Middle East on the continent of Asia.
Why did they leave Lebanon?
Like other immigrants there were many reasons why the Lebanese left their homeland. Life in
Lebanon was hard, because they were ruled by another nation. Many Lebanese felt they had
very few political or personal freedoms.
Most of the Lebanese immigrants to the United States were Christians. As part of the Ottoman
Empire they were living in a country dominated by Muslims. There were often religious conflicts.
Many of the Lebanese were poor. They made their living by exporting olives, tobacco, and silk
to France and England. These goods were heavily taxed. Most of the crops grown by a farmer
went to pay his taxes.
Why did they come to Kansas?
Lebanese immigrants came to Kansas to make a better life for themselves and their families.
They were looking for religious freedom. They also wanted to escape the political situation in
their homeland.
The biggest reason they came to Kansas was for better economic opportunities. They were
looking for good jobs. Most often a young man or woman would travel to America alone.
Their plan was to save enough money to bring over their families
Answers
GPT-4o mini
and eventually establish a stable life in their new home. Many of the Lebanese immigrants found work in various trades, including grocery and dry goods stores, bakeries, and manufacturing. In Wichita, they established vibrant communities, contributing to the cultural diversity of the city.
### Summary:
**Mexicans in Kansas:**
- **Reasons for Leaving Mexico:** Economic instability, poverty, job loss, and an uncertain political landscape were key factors that drove many Mexicans to leave their homeland.
- **Reasons for Coming to Kansas:** They sought better job opportunities, especially in industries such as meatpacking and sugar beet production, as well as opportunities with the railroads.
**Lebanese in Kansas:**
- **Reasons for Leaving Lebanon:** Political oppression under the Ottoman Empire, religious conflicts, and economic hardship due to heavy taxation influenced many Lebanese to emigrate.
- **Reasons for Coming to Kansas:** They were in search of religious freedom, political stability, and improved economic conditions. Lebanese immigrants often aimed to initially work and save money to eventually bring their families to the U.S.
These two immigrant groups illustrate the diverse motivations and circumstances that led to the settlement of Kansas, each contributing to the state's rich cultural tapestry.
### Summary:
**Mexicans in Kansas:**
- **Reasons for Leaving Mexico:** Economic instability, poverty, job loss, and an uncertain political landscape were key factors that drove many Mexicans to leave their homeland.
- **Reasons for Coming to Kansas:** They sought better job opportunities, especially in industries such as meatpacking and sugar beet production, as well as opportunities with the railroads.
**Lebanese in Kansas:**
- **Reasons for Leaving Lebanon:** Political oppression under the Ottoman Empire, religious conflicts, and economic hardship due to heavy taxation influenced many Lebanese to emigrate.
- **Reasons for Coming to Kansas:** They were in search of religious freedom, political stability, and improved economic conditions. Lebanese immigrants often aimed to initially work and save money to eventually bring their families to the U.S.
These two immigrant groups illustrate the diverse motivations and circumstances that led to the settlement of Kansas, each contributing to the state's rich cultural tapestry.