AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: Late 19th Century International Immigration (Day 191/309)

Hey APUSHers, let’s chat about late 19th century international immigration as part of my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

U.S. Immigrant Population and Share over Time, Migration Policy Institute

In the late 19th century, the United States experienced a significant wave of international immigration with more than 16 million migrants arriving from 1850 to 1900.

“Welcome to All,” Library of Congress

Push factors such as economic hardship, political unrest, and religious persecution drove millions of people from Europe, Asia, and other regions to seek opportunities in America. 

Sources of Immigration, 1871-1910, Business of Immigration

In 1890, there was a shift in the national origins of immigrants. Compared with prior waves of immigration primarily from northern and western Europe, these “new immigrants” came from Southern and Eastern Europe, including countries like Italy, Russia, and Poland.

Mulberry Street New York City, American Yawp

They were unlike earlier groups primarily made up of Protestants and were more likely to be Catholic, Greek or Russian Orthodox, or Jewish. Many were poor and illiterate which led to low wage jobs and overcrowding in cities.

In the second half of the 1800s, the U.S. population more than tripled with “new immigrants” contributing significantly to this growth as they sought new opportunities in America.

Join me tomorrow as I explain urbanization in the next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!