For this week's assigned web log, we are supposed to write about our family's history. However, I was inable to find anyone to use as a primary reference. All of my grandparents live in Minnesota, and it is hard to get in touch. Instead, I will be talking about the german migration.
First, I am obligated to point out that the term 'German' is very difficult to pinpoint, considering the german boundaries (along with many other countries' boundaries) were changed.
Why did they leave?
The Germans immigrated to America while it was still a part of the British colonies. They left for a variety of reasons. Most of the early immigrants left in search of religious freedom. Others left as a result of the Napoleanic War, so they looked for freedom of political cruelty and military involvement. Minnesota was a popular target for German migrants and reached a peak in the 1860's-1870's. During so, a large number of Germans had already been in the United States for quite some time, and a majority of them settled in the Midwest.
A main reason for Euopeans to move to America was because of the increase of Industrialization. Machines started to replace the jobs of humans, so people rushed to the cities in search of employment. This, of course, led to the cities becoming overcrowded, so jobs there even began to decline. Citizens were forced to move to the rural areas or to the United States.
A large increase in taxes took a financial toll on the people of Europe. Also, because the population increased, land became scarce and more expensive. Those not able to afford land in Europe thought that the plentiful array of land in America sounded promising.
Final Thoughts
I would like to state my thoughts on the situation--I think immigration shaped the country how it is. If there were no immigrants, I could've been born somewhere in Europe instead of the USA. Therefore, I think strict laws against those wishing to join our country (ie Mexicans) is hypocritical and wrong.
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