The U.S. comprises different people from different ethnic backgrounds. During the early years of the 17th century many European governments had official state religions. This resulted into trial of other sects who fled religious cruelty and civil wars. It was not all the European immigrants went to the colonies as free and independent. When settlements and plantations developed, there was a huge demand for manual labor. The poor people therefore became part of the colonial labor might in return for their passage across the Atlantic Ocean.
With the Agricultural revolution more plantations were developed leading to labor shortages. The shortages were cleared by importation of African slaves. After independence in 1776 up to 1880, more immigrants were received from Europe. Those from Germany and Scandinavia fled revolutions, political upheavals and due to their Anglo-Saxon cultures. Other immigrants were from Ireland fearing famine and British persecution. In addition, Chinese men arrived in the U.S. as contract laborers.
After 1880 there was a new era in immigration in the American history. There was an entry of Southern and Eastern Europeans. Majority of these Europeans fled hard economic times due to high taxes, high land rents and poor soil. The Polish were overwhelmed by wars and political events. Eastern Europeans Jews fled religious persecution in addition to hard economic times and political persecution. They saw America as a land of liberty
In addition, the Industrial Revolution in America attracted a flow of immigrants who supplied the wanted cheap labor to work in factories. This was the major difference for the immigration before and after 1880. Another difference was the abolishment of slavery immigrants. In return for liberty, food donations, jobs and settlement the new immigrants helped establish and strengthen the industrial revolution.
Each of these new immigrants had exceptional skills which they fully used. The immigrants were involved in: the transport sector, mining, textile industry and chemical industry among others. They established urban centers which became a basis for industrialization. They also formed political mighty in the cities they settled. Consequently, each and every immigrant contributed to the growth of the America as a nation.
Work Cited
LeMay, Michael C. From Open Door to Dutch Door: An Analysis of U.s. Immigration Policy Since 1820. New York: Praeger, 2007. Print.
