CAUSES of MIGRATION from 1750-1900 [AP World History Review—Unit 6 Topic 6]

Migration from 1750 to 1900: Causes and Effects

Environmental Causes of Migration

• The period saw significant demographic changes, with the global population experiencing rapid growth due to advancements in medicine and diet, leading to increased lifespans.

• Rural areas faced job losses due to industrialization, prompting many individuals to migrate in search of employment opportunities in urban centers.

• Famine also drove migration; for instance, the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s resulted in millions fleeing Ireland due to starvation caused by crop blight.

• New transportation technologies like railroads and steamships facilitated migration by providing affordable travel options for those affected by push factors such as famine or poverty.

• Urbanization surged as migrants settled in cities where manufacturing jobs were plentiful, leading to significant population growth in European urban centers.

Economic Causes of Migration

• Economic necessity was a primary driver for migration; people sought work either voluntarily or under coercion due to economic hardship.

• Many migrants made independent decisions to relocate for better job prospects, notably millions of Irish, Italian, German immigrants moving to U.S. urban centers.

• Conversely, some migrations were forced; coerced labor systems like the Atlantic slave trade continued early in this period despite later abolitions.

• Convict labor was another form of coerced movement; British and French empires transported convicts to penal colonies instead of housing them domestically.

Indentured Migration and Labor in the British Empire

The Context of Indentured Migration

• A growing concern in India regarding the migration of indentured Indians facilitated by the British government to various parts of their empire, including the Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

• The British also operated tin mines in Malaysia, where they employed Chinese indentured servants who were suffering from poverty at home.

• This practice highlights the broader implications of colonialism and labor exploitation during this period.

• The movement of these laborers reflects both economic necessity and the impact of colonial policies on local populations.