How did the industrial boom affect immigration patterns in the U.S.?

The industrial boom in the late 19th and early 20th centuries had a profound impact on immigration patterns in the United States, particularly leading to an increase in immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe. This period, often referred to as the Second Industrial Revolution, created a demand for labor due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. Factories needed workers to support the growing industries, such as steel, textiles, and manufacturing.

During this time, many individuals from Southern and Eastern European countries, like Italy, Poland, and Russia, sought better economic opportunities and escape from harsh living conditions in their home countries. The promise of jobs and the chance at a higher standard of living in the U.S. drew millions of immigrants, which significantly altered the demographic landscape of the nation.

In addition, this wave of newcomers provided the workforce necessary for expanding industries, especially in burgeoning urban centers where factories were concentrated. Unlike earlier immigrant groups from Northern and Western Europe, these newer immigrants faced different challenges, including cultural adjustments and often discriminatory practices, which would shape the broader narrative of American immigration policy and society during that era.