Immigration Expansion

Definition

Immigration Expansion refers to the significant increase in the number of immigrants coming to the United States, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Analogy

Think of a school cafeteria that starts serving pizza every day. More students start coming to eat there because they love pizza. Similarly, more people started immigrating to America due to opportunities for jobs, freedom, and better living conditions.

Related terms

Ellis Island: This was the main entry point for immigrants entering the United States from Europe between 1892 and 1954.

Nativism: This is a political policy favoring native inhabitants as opposed to immigrants.

Great Migration: This term refers to the movement of six million African Americans out of rural Southern United States to urban Northeast, Midwest, and West regions from about 1916-1970.