MIGRATION IN NORTH AMERICA
Emigrate vs. Immigrate Emigrate – to
leave one’s home country
Immigrate – to move into a new country
History of Immigration First Wave - Late 1700s early 1800s,
immigrants from western Europe came to the newly formed United States to escape hunger, poverty, and religious persecution
History of Immigration Second Wave – In
the late 1800s many Eastern and Southern European immigrants came to the US to escape war, religious persecution, and poverty/hunger
History of Immigration Third Wave – Began in the 1960s and
continues today. Most come from Latin America and Asia and were escaping war, poverty, or were seeking better economic opportunities
Political Push Factors Cuba United States –
Many Cubans have fled the communist government that was established by Fidel Castro in the 1950s.
Freedom of speech and economic opportunities have been rare
Identify another Political Push factor
Environmental Push Factors Ireland United States –
In the 1840s a fungus killed most of Ireland’s potato crop sending 1.5 million Irish to the US
Identify another Environmental Push Factor
Economic Push Factor Mexico United
States – Many Mexican immigrants have immigrated into the US in search of better economic opportunities
(Most common push factor for US immigrants)
Family Pull Factors Some immigrants simply wish to reunite
a divided family
Education Pull Factors Some immigrants seek better education
when coming to the US
Effects of Immigration?
Foreign Workers US has always depended on foreign
workers for low skill labor (Western European workers built bridges and building in NY, Chinese laborers built most of the western railroads)
Foreign Workers Recently the US has seen highly skilled
laborers enter the country (Doctors from India)
Brain Drain...
Tax Burden Many immigrants have avoided paying
income taxes which effects highly populated areas the most (use of parks, roads, schools)
Melting Pot Different cultures introduce a variety of
traditions, food, dance, language, religion, into the US
Example?