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There is a longstanding belief that the United States of America is a country of immigrants, often used as an argument in favor of [[illegal immigration]] by [[liberals]]. The truth, however, is that most of the migration to the U.S. in the colonial era came from Britain, with English, Scots and (Protestant) Irish.  They moved inside the Empire and did not leave their native country for a foreign land, so they are not considered "immigrants" any more than a person who moves from Florida to Alaska today.

There is a longstanding belief that the United States of America is a country of immigrants, often used as an argument in favor of [[illegal immigration]] by [[liberals]]. The truth, however, is that most of the migration to the U.S. in the colonial era came from Britain, with English, Scots and (Protestant) Irish.  They moved inside the Empire and did not leave their native country for a foreign land, so they are not considered "immigrants" any more than a person who moves from Florida to Alaska today.

A large number of [[German American|German immigrants]] came to Pennsylvania and New York. To this day they are called "Pennsylvania Dutch" but they were Germans, and came for religious freedom and economic opportunity.  Dutch did come and settle in New Amsterdam (now New York), which was part of the Dutch Empire so they were not "immigrants" either.  [[Black history|Black slaves]] were involuntary immigrants to all the colonies, especially the tobacco plantations of Virginia and Maryland, and the rice plantations of South Carolina. The [[American Revolution]] cut off movement from 1775 to 1783. When it resumed about 80,000 American Loyalists left the U.S. to immigrate to Canada, or return to Britain.  Migration was light before 1815, because of wars in Europe. The import or export of slaves was made illegal in 1809.

A large number of [[German American|German immigrants]] came to Pennsylvania and New York. To this day they are called "Pennsylvania Dutch" but they were Germans, and came for religious freedom and economic opportunity.  Dutch did come and settle in New Amsterdam (now New York), which was part of the Dutch Empire so they were not "immigrants" either.  [[Black history|Black slaves]] were involuntary immigrants to all the colonies, especially the tobacco plantations of Virginia and Maryland, and the rice plantations of South Carolina. The [[American Revolution]] cut off movement from 1775 to 1783. When it resumed, about 80,000 American Loyalists left the U.S. to immigrate to Canada or return to Britain.  Migration was light before 1815, because of wars in Europe. The import or export of slaves was made illegal in 1809.

===Early Nation: 1776–1860===

===Early Nation: 1776–1860===

===Gilded Age: 1860–1900===

===Gilded Age: 1860–1900===

[[File:Welcome1880.jpg|thumb|left|560px]]

[[File:Welcome1880.jpg|thumb|left|560px]]

During the Gilded Age, 1865-1900, approximately 10 million European immigrants came to the United States, most in search of religious freedom and greater prosperity. They filled up the rich farmlands of the Middle West, as German and Scandinavian immigrants were especially eager to own land.  They avoided the poverty stricken South. The population surge in major U.S. cities as a result of immigration gave cities an even stronger impact on government, attracting power-hungry politicians and entrepreneurs. Pressuring voters or falsifying ballots was commonplace for politicians, who often sought power only to exploit their constituents. To accommodate the influx of people into the U.S., the federal government built [[Ellis Island]] in 1892 near the [[Statue of Liberty]]. After 1892, a short physical examination was given; those with contagious diseases were not admitted. Few immigrants went to the poverty-stricken South.

During the Gilded Age, 1865-1900, approximately 10 million European immigrants came to the United States, most in search of religious freedom and greater prosperity. They filled up the rich farmlands of the Middle West, as German and Scandinavian immigrants were especially eager to own land.  They avoided the poverty-stricken South. The population surge in major U.S. cities as a result of immigration gave cities an even stronger impact on government, attracting power-hungry politicians and entrepreneurs. Pressuring voters or falsifying ballots was commonplace for politicians, who often sought power only to exploit their constituents. To accommodate the influx of people into the U.S., the federal government built [[Ellis Island]] in 1892 near the [[Statue of Liberty]]. After 1892, a short physical examination was given; those with contagious diseases were not admitted. Few immigrants went to the poverty-stricken South.

''During the mass emigration from [[Italy]] during the century between 1876 to 1976, the U.S. was the largest single recipient of Italian immigrants in the world... In 1850, less than 4,000 Italians were reportedly in the U.S. However in 1880, merely four years after the influx of Italian immigrants migrated, the population skyrocketed to 44,000, and by 1900, 484,027.'' <ref>[http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/Italian.html The Italians]</ref>

''During the mass emigration from [[Italy]] during the century between 1876 to 1976, the U.S. was the largest single recipient of Italian immigrants in the world... In 1850, less than 4,000 Italians were reportedly in the U.S. However in 1880, merely four years after the influx of Italian immigrants migrated, the population skyrocketed to 44,000, and by 1900, 484,027.'' <ref>[http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/Italian.html The Italians]</ref>

=== Chinese immigrants ===

=== Chinese immigrants ===

The construction of the Central Pacific Railroad in [[California]] and [[Nevada]] was handled largely by American engineers and Chinese laborers. In the 1870 census there were 58,000 Chinese men and 4,000 women in the entire country; these numbers grew to 100,000 men and 4,000 women in the 1880 census.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0029/twps0029.html Historical Census Statistics on the Foreign-born Population of the United States: 1850-1990]

The construction of the Central Pacific Railroad in [[California]] and [[Nevada]] was handled largely by American engineers and Chinese laborers. In the 1870 census, there were 58,000 Chinese men and 4,000 women in the entire country; these numbers grew to 100,000 men and 4,000 women in the 1880 census.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0029/twps0029.html Historical Census Statistics on the Foreign-born Population of the United States: 1850-1990]

</ref>

</ref>

Labor unions such as the [[American Federation of Labor]] strongly opposed the presence of Chinese labor, by reason of both economic competition and race. Immigrants from China were not allowed to become citizens until 1950; however, their children born in the U.S. were full citizens.  

Labor unions such as the [[American Federation of Labor]] strongly opposed the presence of Chinese labor, by reason of both economic competition and race. Immigrants from China were not allowed to become citizens until 1950; however, their children born in the U.S. were full citizens.  

* Magocsi, Paul Robert. ''Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples'' (1999), 1350 pp; major compilation

* Magocsi, Paul Robert. ''Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples'' (1999), 1350 pp; major compilation

* Thernstrom, Stephan, ed. ''Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups'' (1980) (ISBN 0-674-37512-2), the standard reference, covering all major groups and most minor groups; Thernstrom is a leading conservative historian [http://www.amazon.com/Harvard-Encyclopedia-American-Ethnic-Groups/dp/0674375122 excerpt and text search]

* Thernstrom, Stephan, ed. ''Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups'' (1980) (ISBN 0-674-37512-2), the standard reference, covering all major groups and most minor groups; Thernstrom is a leading conservative historian [http://www.amazon.com/Harvard-Encyclopedia-American-Ethnic-Groups/dp/0674375122 excerpt and text search]

* Wittke, carl. ''We Who Built America: The Saga of the Immigrant'' (1939), 552pp good older history cover major groups [http://www.questia.com/library/book/we-who-built-america-the-saga-of-the-immigrant-by-carl-wittke.jsp online edition]

* Wittke, Carl. ''We Who Built America: The Saga of the Immigrant'' (1939), 552pp good older history cover major groups [http://www.questia.com/library/book/we-who-built-america-the-saga-of-the-immigrant-by-carl-wittke.jsp online edition]

===Recent migrations===

===Recent migrations===

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Immigration]]

[[Category:Immigration]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:Gilded Age]]

[[Category:Gilded Age]]