Describe the reasons people emigrated to the United States, from where they emigrated, and where they settled
A Nation of Immigrants
The United States experienced its heaviest period of immigration in the early 1900s. Whereas previous new-comers had come largely from northwestern European countries, the vast majority of the more than 15 million who arrived between 1890 and 1914 were from eastern and southern Europe, including Italy, Russia, Poland, and Austria-Hungary. The years 1905, 1906, 1907, 1910, 1913, and 1914 saw the arrival of more than 1 million immigrants annually.These numbers dropped dramatically with the out-break of World War I, reaching a low of 141,000 in 1919. In 1921, however, more than 800,000 immigrants were admitted—and strict quotas were introduced as a consequence of national anti-immigrant sentiment. In 1882 the Chinese Exclusion Act was the first legislation to place quotas on the numbers of immigrants from China (and later from all of Asia),due to fears that Chinese workers, who then made up only 0.002 percent of the population, were adversely affecting the economy. Such fears soon extended to other ethnic groups, and over time restrictions were placed on those deemed to be “undesirable.” Nativist thinkers cited not only economic reasons for such laws but also the need to guard against the importation of potential anarchists. Ceilings were therefore placed on immigration numbers and preferential treatment given to those from white, northwestern European countries—a practice that would continue for decades. The changes in immigration law contributed to a substantial dwindling of the flow of immigrants in the late 1920s and the 1930s.
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Reasons for Immigration
1607-1830
1830-1890: The reason for immigration in the period from 1830-1890 is quite clear. Land remained plentiful, and fairly cheap. Jobs were abundant, and labor was scarce and relatively dear. A decline in the birthrate as well as an increase in industry and urbanization reinforced this situation. 1890-1924
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Where did they settle?
Ellis Island
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The Statue of Liberty
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