Immigrants contributed for the 37% growth of the United States of America population after the civil war (Bell, Kwesiga, & Berry 179). Millions over the last two centuries have migrated to the United States. This contributed to the technological and economic advancement of the region. The 19th century was however the most remarkable time of expanded immigration. The California gold rush saw numerous ethnicities abandon their villages in various regions of the world and entered America. In addition, after the civil war, slave trade was abolished therefore employment opportunities were very high (Lecture 7). While others came due the gold rush, numerous came to seek better economic opportunities for their families. The most popular groups that migrated to the United States were Irish, Hispanics, Chinese and the Europeans.
Chinese
The first Chinese started migrating to the United States during the California gold rush. Over this period, the economic, political and social status of china was very volatile due to the invasion of the Qing dynasty and the opium instability brought by the British. The immigration business grew as steam ships charged more for passengers from Hong Kong to the States compared to other locations with equal distance (Hsu 25). The postal and commodity shipping business grew since the Chinese living in America often sent presents to their families back in China. Other businesses that prospered were the banking industry and insurance business (Hsu 24).
While the percentage rates of clearance of other immigrants were 98%, the Chinese was 65% (Erica 11). This is because the Chinese were more disrespected and hated compared to other immigrants. Despite the harsh treatment they received in the United States, the Chinese American enjoyed better living conditions in the States compared to the average villager in China. This motivated more immigrants to cross the Atlantic (Chen 158).
After the gold rush slowed down, many Chinese immigrants were out of work and opted to move to San Francisco where there existed large Chinese settlements. This led to the emergence of Chinese employers who had ventured in laundry and merchant business (Lecture 6). These businesses were very lucrative and some investors become very rich. Those who could not find employment in the settlements opted to join in the railway construction.
Although there were very few American-born Chinese, the number grew steadily in the early 1900’s. This group forged a desire to be like the Native American and enrolled in public school aiming to achieve individuality instead of living in the traditional Chinese web (Yin 213).
Irish immigrants
The history of Irish immigration began with the tenant land owning policy in their country. It was most common for the poor to rent land from the rich for farming and homes. Their only income was in the form of potatoes. However, the fungi hit the region in the mid-19th century and thus begun the journey of migration to the United States after many had died of starvation. They had heard of the fertile soils in the United Stated and many traveled in hope of this dreams (Patton 440). The official docking inspection site for the Irish was the Ellis Island near the statue of liberty.
After they landed in the states, many opted to stay in the port regions instead of venturing in the interior lands for farming (Lecture 5). This led to very poor living conditions since they were only accepted for the lowest paying and tedious jobs. This led to rampant spread of diseases due to the poor drainage (Lecture 8). Since the job market was very hostile to these new immigrants, most resulted to crime while others changed their accent and names in order to fit better in the society (Lecture 2). This led to the fast eradication of the Irish culture as compared to other immigrant groups.
Other Eastern Europeans
Although no specific part was dominant, many European immigrants come from Germany, Poland, and Scandinavia. In Germany, it was the rise of political unrest especially for the Jewish. Most of them opted to seek refuge in regions like Italy while others opted to move to the United States. In the beginning, many arrived in ports all over the country but after the development of steamships, many arrived via the New York port. Many believed that the region was right for them due to the recently passed bill of rights.
The constant flow of European immigrants rendered the New Haven neighborhoods dynamic and often congested. Most property changed hands often due to the emergence of new and more comfortable houses built in the regions (Lassonde 14). Apart from the dynamic living conditions, the American-born generation massively enrolled in the public school system for the proper education. This led to European based institutions like the New England collage (Lassonde 23).
Economic opportunities
Many Native Americans were challenged by the rising number of immigrants constantly entering the country. They felt that with the influx of cheap labor from the more enduring foreigners affected their labor rates (Bell, Kwesiga, & Berry 180). Despite these accusations, the Native Americans got a higher pay compared to the immigrants and paid less taxes. Contrary to their expectation, the immigrants kept arriving at the ports in large numbers.
Since it was around the industrial revolution, the availability of labor led to the improvement of the industry. Many immigrants worked long and hard hours in the steel factories, food processing industries, textile industries, leather making shoe industries and the telecommunication industry (Lecture 4). Later after the construction of the railway line commenced, most of them joined in the construction. After its completion, even more jobs were created due to the opportunities that the railway line created.
Despite the competition that the natives felt, the immigrants greatly contributed to the good economic welfare of the country. This led to the rise of large estates of wealthy merchants and popular tourism spots (Lecture 9). In addition, there emerged a white collar job class for the educated and informed Native Americans. The jobs included clerks, teachers and receptionists (Lecture 6). This made the immigrants believe that with education and adequate time in the states, they would breach the economic difference imposed by the disparity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the economic environment in the United States can be attributed to the cheap labor that was provided by the immigrants. Even though the migration slowed down tremendously after numerous restrictions were implemented, they are a very vital part of the American civilization today (Lecture 10). It is recommended that more research is completed in order to access the diversity and outstanding qualities of this unique group of immigrants who though in their humble beginnings, have changed America to what it is today.
Works cited
Bell, Myrtle., Kwesiga, Eileen., & Berry, Daphne. Immigrants: The new “invisible men and women” in diversity research. Journal of Managerial Psychology. 25, 2 (2010) 177 - 188
Erica, Lee. Chinese American transnationalism: Defying Exclusion: Chinese Immigrants And Their Strategies During The Exclusion Era. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. 2006. Print.
Patton, Eric. When groups fall apart: the Donner Party disaster. Journal of Management History, 17, 4 (2011) 435 - 450
Chen, Yong. Chinese American transnationalism: Transnationalism during the early twentieth century: an economic perspective. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. 2006. Print.
Hsu, Madeline. Chinese American Transnationalism: Trading with Gold Mountain: Jinshanzhuang and Networks of Kinship and Native Place. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. 2006. Print.
Yin, Xiao-huang. Chinese American Transnationalism: Writing a Place in American Life: The Sensibilities of American-born Chinese as Reflected in Life Stories from the Exclusion Era. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. 2006. Print.
Lassonde, Stephen. Learning to Forget: schooling and family life in new haven’s working class, 1870-1940. 13-23.
