The population of United States of America boasts of immigrants originating from Europe, Asia and Africa. The colonization of Africa is an event that pushed for the forceful importation of African into America. Thus, years between 1861 and 1865 experienced an influx of about four million African sold as slaves (Hernandez, 2006, p.440-444). However, the first major voluntary immigrants hailed from Scandinavian countries, Germany and the United Kingdom. The Irish people created the larger percent of the immigrants. Due to the perceived fertility of American farms and its economic stability, more immigrants came in from Eastern and southern Europe. Later on in mid nineteenth century, Asians more so, Chinese, Japanese and Philippines came to America leading to restriction of immigrants. Therefore, from 19th century to present immigration in the American society is strict with the imposition of tight laws that has seen a reduction of the number of immigrants. There is close monitoring of the foreigners to curb terrorists and criminal activities. The problem of illegal immigrants has seen the influx of terrorists 1990s, idlers and emergence of other forms of crimes (Kupperman, 2000, p.110). Immigration in America has affected its society both positively and negatively. Economically, industrialization encouraged immigration into America while socially wars, famines and religious persecutions portrayed America as the safest destination leading to the development of this country in a unique picture.
Immigration in America is synonymous to transport development. Ranging from water vessels like ships and boats to railway lines America was open to the rest of the world. Historians cite years between 1820 and 1930 as when other European nationalities invaded America (Bowles, 2011, p.147). The Germans are among the earliest immigrants who moved in America at the start of 19th century to establish farmlands. With large tract of lands, the need for laborers encouraged the coming of more immigrants. At the same time due to hunger and social conflicts, the Irish people also moved out to look for better settlement in America. The second great migration was between 1892 and 1954. America experienced a tremendous population boom recorded to be at 12 million. According to Hernandez, most of the immigrants were Turkish, Greeks, Irish, Syrians, polish and Russians among others (2006, p.421). Before 1874, the American soil was open to all foreigners for settlement. Thus, the period before 1865 recorded immigrants from North and western parts of Europe. Similarly, Asians and Africans also form a major part of the immigrants in America. The Chinese and the Japanese voluntarily migrated to America as laborers. Unfortunately, most Africans migrated to America as slaves.
The American civil war, which occurred between 1861 and 1865 created a window in, which there was a great influx of immigrants (Rourke, 2011, p.90). The end of the war in 1865 created a stable government a move that motivated other nationalities to move into America. The unification of the Southern and Northern Americans hastened innovations and industrialization. However, in 1870s the rate of immigration decreased. Triggered by social and political differences of the natives, the end of the war created various opportunities for immigrants. From 1865 to 1877, Americans made the decision to restructure their economy and reform social practices motivated the influx of European settlers (Fennelly & Huart, 2010, p.40). Particularly whites from Southern and Eastern Europe migrated into America to improve their lifestyles. The urge to develop economically and socially motivated Americans to encourage immigration (Friedberg & Hunt, 1995, p. 42-44). For instance, in 1890 the government established Ellis Island as a pivot point to receive immigrants (Kupperman, 2000, p70). Immigrants like the Germans mainly bought large tracts of land for farming. Ewing cites that through the Island, America received more than 10 million immigrants by 1954 (2012, p.4).
On the other hand, the Irish people and the Jews mainly migrated to America to escape religious conflicts from Protestants in their homelands. The need to practice Catholicism freely triggered emigration from Ireland. In addition, Ireland was experiencing famine especially after the failure of their main food crop, which is Irish potato. Consequently, by 1930 the United States of America had recorded more than four million Irish immigrants (wood, 2005. p.80). The Jews immigrants in the 19th century were more than 2.5 million. Most of them were running away from religious conflicts or persecutions. Therefore, social factors like slavery, oppressive laws, military force, religious conflicts and other forms of wars contributed to immigration into United States of America.
The industrialization and technological innovations in the 19th century also created passage to immigrants. After the civil war in 1865, America experienced industrial revolution that needed more labor that is human. The establishment of coal, steel and creation textile among other industries created more room for employment of both skilled and unskilled labor (Ewing, 2012, p.5-7). Most immigrants especially women, children and Asians (Chinese) were willing to offer labor at lower wages compared to natives. Unfortunately, the existence of poor labor laws encouraged mistreatment of children and women who were working in poor conditions with low pay. Therefore, the immigrants greatly drove the growth of the American industrial economy. Similarly, the need for Africans to work as slaves on white owned farms prompted colonies to ship many West Africans into America. More over, the development of the transport infrastructure eased the movement of people thus, contributing to immigration greatly. With the creation of steamships in 1870, America recorded 6.6 million immigrants at a short period (Friedberg & Hunt, 1995, p.31-44).
Economically, immigrants were a cheap source of labor. Therefore, they helped in the quick driving of industrialization of the American economy (Friedberg & Hunt, 1995 p.23-30). America experienced an influx of human capital creating competition for improved education levels with the natives. Socially, immigration positively contributed to culturally diversity of the society. There were intermarriages leading to the production of a multilingual nation. Some of the immigrants provided military force hence strengthening its defense power from external attacks. Assimilation of some of the immigrants is one of the social developments that America experienced. Currently, most Americans are descendants of immigrants.
According to historians like Bowles, immigration into America created a population growth that did not only constrain the social facilities but also created social and cultural problems (2011, p.65-90). Poor living conditions, ethnicity, poor working conditions, influx of new infectious diseases and racism are among problems the American society experienced. The housing and health conditions of the American towns deteriorated greatly. Culturally, different languages, illiteracy and diverse cultural practices created social gaps between the natives and the immigrants. Racial segregation of the African Americans led to the uprising of the blacks. The Africans experienced slavery, mob justice and even injustices in the courts. Similarly, in terms of religion, the Protestants and Catholics were always in conflicts while the natives experienced culture shocks. All these problems prompted the government to create immigration policies. The strict immigration policies were to minimize the aforementioned problems that affected the immigrants.
Mostly immigrants from Europe had the chance to settle in America except the Russians (Ewing, 2012, p.5). However, the immigrants check points ensured that sickly persons especially those suffering from infectious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis returned to their country. In addition, those with records as criminals did not access residence permits. With the cessation of the First World War in 1918, the American government created immigration laws the quota act system that favored only the Europeans. Thus, from 1920s to 1965 it experienced an influx of refugees from Mexico and the Jews who were escaping persecution from Hitler. Border enforcement laws tightened in the late 20th century up to present. Americans only allowed professionals or skilled workers, students and refugees to live among them. The American competitiveness and work improvement act of 1998 limits the number of entry of skilled laborers on temporary basis. The emergence of Islam extremists in 1990s led to the era of Osama bin Laden who sponsored and initiated terrorists’ activities in the American soil (Bowles, 2011, p.390-410). The emergence of suicide bombers in public places has led to the death of many innocent American citizens. The famous attack on the American twin towers in 1998 has contributed to enacting of laws prohibiting immigrants into United States.
In conclusion, a large percent of American citizens trace their originality as immigrants. In the early 19th century, immigration into America received less resistance from the natives. The crowding of the towns and constrained public facilities led to the establishment of immigration laws restricting entry of laws. In addition, the spread of contagious or infectious diseases posed health risks to the natives thus, prohibiting entry of some immigrants. Although immigrants provided a great deal of economic growth, the major problem that arose in the late 1990s was security alert arising from Islam extremists. Cultural and language diversity are major social development America experienced. In summary, the social and economic disadvantages of immigration outweighed advantages thus, leading to the tightening of immigration laws. An analysis of immigration policies since 1920s has tightened as the years moved by with the 21st century limiting the number of immigrants to a less figure.
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