History of Immigration

Immigrants coming off the boat at Ellis Island, NYC

Immigration is not a new issue; it is a well known fact that the United States was both settled and populated by immigrants from around the world (although at the time, mostly from Europe).

The first immigrants were settlers from the British Isles (English, Scottish, Welsh) Germany, France and the Netherlands seeking the freedoms of the New World and the chance to start a new life. These original settlers were mainly farmers living off the fat of the land and many were indentured servants that had to work to pay for their passage.

The early 1800's brought on flocks of immigrants (15 million from 1820-1880) that came and settled in segregated groups in the Eastern cities like New York and Boston. During this time period, Catholics from Ireland and Chinese workers on the Pacific coast inspired a dislike of immigrants (nativitsm) which would grow worse in the 1900's. After the Civil War, immigration became even heavier and Eastern Europeans like Italians, Greeks, Hungarians, and Polish joined the ranks of foreigners in the country.

All of these immigrants made up important parts of the labor force as the country was industrializing and required more unskilled laborers. Immigrants filled this need for labor but also created the melting pot that is the culture of the United States today.

Background information found here:
http://www.america.gov/st/peopleplace-english/2008/February/20080307112004ebyessedo0.1716272.html
Photo credit here:
http://uploads.static.vosizneias.com/2010/09/Emigrants-Arriving-Ellis-Island.jpg