Chapter 2 Immigration Past and Present
Immigration: Past and Present
Overview of Immigration
- The act of immigrating to a new country is not a recent phenomenon; it has occurred throughout history for various reasons, including economic, political, and natural disasters.
- Many individuals do not wish to leave their homeland unless compelled by significant pressures. A minority are naturally adventurous and seek new experiences.
Early Perspectives on Immigration
- Early Britons viewed themselves as settlers or colonists rather than immigrants, believing they were merely expanding their mother country's territory.
- By 1776, approximately 40% of the U.S. population was non-British, although English remained the dominant language and British traditions shaped societal norms.
The Great Immigration (1830 - 1930)
Stages of Immigration
- The Great Immigration is divided into three stages:
- First Stage (1830 - 1860): Immigrant numbers rose from about 10,000 annually to over 600,000 in the 1830s; major sources included Germany, Great Britain, and Ireland.
- Second Stage (1860 - 1890): Approximately 10 million immigrants arrived; continued influx from Germany and Ireland with notable contributions from Scandinavian countries like Denmark and Norway.
- Third Stage (1890 - 1930): This period saw nearly 22 million arrivals primarily from Southern Europe (Greece, Italy) and Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia).
Reasons for High Immigration Rates
- Several factors contributed to the high immigration rates during this era:
- Europe's population doubled between 1750 and 1850 while unemployment surged due to the Industrial Revolution. This created a push for many to seek opportunities abroad.
- Scarcity of farmland in Europe contrasted sharply with the abundant land available in the United States during its expansion phase; government incentives further encouraged settlement through free land offers starting in 1862.
- Economic growth in the U.S. provided plentiful job opportunities alongside freedom from religious or political persecution as additional attractions for immigrants seeking better lives.
Immigration Trends and Historical Context
Overview of Immigration Patterns
- The discussion begins with the factors contributing to high immigration rates, including natural disasters and improved transportation, which led to a significant influx of immigrants.
- Following the Great Immigration period, there was a notable decline in immigration numbers due to various laws aimed at limiting immigrant entry from specific regions, starting with the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
- Economic events like the Great Depression (1929) and geopolitical conflicts such as World War II also played crucial roles in reducing immigration rates during this time.
Changes in Immigration Laws
- A pivotal change occurred in 1965 when strict nationality-based quotas were abolished, marking a shift towards more inclusive immigration policies compared to earlier restrictions.
Demographic Shifts in Immigrant Origins
- Historically, European immigrants constituted the majority; for instance, they made up 92% of immigrants in 1860. By 1960, this percentage had decreased to 74.5%, and by 2002 it fell dramatically to just 14%.
- In contrast, by 2002, Latin America accounted for over half (52.2%) of all immigrants to the U.S., with Mexico being a significant contributor alongside other Central American countries.
Post-War Immigration Trends
- After World War I and throughout the Great Depression and WWII years, immigration sharply declined but began increasing again post-1940s. Current annual immigrant numbers are comparable to those seen between 1900 and 1910.
- Despite similar yearly figures now versus a century ago, the foreign-born population's percentage is significantly lower today due to overall population growth in the United States.
Future Speculations on Immigration