Immigration and Ethnicity in the US - Essay Example

The immigration comprised of different people different from ethnicities such as German, English, Irish, and Norwegian Swedish among others that fluxed America as earlier as 1800s. In regard to the physical characteristics and behaviors of immigrants in this century, this phase of immigration was branded an old immigration. The old immigrants came into the United States to take advantage of the freedom and prevalent opportunities in America. They were mainly allured by the availability of cheapest lands, in accordance to the Homestead Act, and the economic ability to rise to riches from rags (Alba, 2009).

The distinguishing traits for these old immigrants include: all came northern and western Europe, were Protestants by religion, were literate and skilled, came over as families and were quick to assimilate. Besides, they were also tall and fair, had money and experience of democracy, and sought freedom in a new land of America (cthomson, 2008). However, in the course of the century the America faced another phase immigration called new immigration peaked in 1907s. The new immigrant came mainly from the eastern and southern Europe.

The new phase also had different people from different ethnicities and comprised of poles, Greeks, Italians, Croats Slovaks and Russians. The major drive of these new immigrants was the economic hardship and the enlarging gap between the poor rich in their nations. There was a considerable upsurge in industrial growth following the end of civil war in America. Therefore, the new immigrant came to secure the economic opportunities provided by new industries and improve their life financially. The traits that distinguished the new immigrants from the old one include: most came from southern and eastern Europe, were illiterate and unskilled, came over as birds of passage, were short and dark and, and arrive impoverished.

In addition, they were also radicals and autocrats, clannish and reluctant to assimilate, and above all