Coming to America

In general, there was a “push” and a “pull” in each person’s decision to set off for America. Why was the United States such an attractive place for people to move to, rather than other countries?

• The United States offered better economic opportunities and freedom.

• The United States had a similar climate to Europe.

• The United States was closer to Europe than other countries.

• The United States had stricter immigration laws.

Factors that discouraged European farmers from continuing to live in Europe include:

• Lack of arable land and poor soil quality

• Abundance of natural resources

• High agricultural productivity

• Favorable climate conditions

What about those pull factors that attracted so many people to America? What ideas did these future immigrants have about America, and where did they get them?

• They were attracted by the promise of economic opportunities and freedom, often learning about these through letters from relatives and advertisements.

• They were primarily interested in the political systems and governance of America, which they learned about through newspapers.

• They were drawn by the climate and geography of America, which they discovered through travel guides.

• They were motivated by the educational opportunities in America, which they heard about from educational institutions.

What is the definition of 'blight'?

• A disease that causes plants to dry up and die

• A type of crop

• A political movement

• A type of weather condition

Imagine you are an immigrant to the United States in the early 1800s. What is one challenge you might face in your new life?

• Finding employment

• Learning the language

• Adapting to the climate

• All of the above

New Orleans was a common port for immigrants to enter the United States because:

• it was the closest port to Europe.

• it had a large population of immigrants already.

• it was a major port for trade and transportation.

• it offered the best job opportunities.

What factors influenced where immigrants would move after arriving in the United States?

• Economic opportunities and job availability

• Climate and weather conditions

• Proximity to family and friends

• Cultural and language similarities

Many of the German immigrants who arrived during the decades before the Civil War entered the United States through which port?

Immigrants with special work skills often had skills in specific trades or professions. Where did they often go?

• They often went to urban areas where their skills were in demand.

• They often went to rural areas to work on farms.

• They often stayed in their home countries.

• They often went to tourist destinations.