Was Immigration Directly Influenced by Religion in American in the Late 1800's and Early 1900's - Essay Example

Introduction Was Immigration Directly Influenced By Religion In America In The Late 1800's And Early 1900's? Immigration and religion are intertwined and it is hard to separate the two when it comes to American history. The three main world religions, which are Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, are discussed by several scholars in a bid to understand the reason why many people were migrating to America before the turn of the twentieth century. It is pertinent to acknowledge that religion played a key role in the way people had to live in America after they had migrated there. Zollman notes that in order to feel secure the immigrants wanted to live in areas where the other people practiced the same faith. No one wanted to be alone because the immigrants were new in the country and as a result, they wanted to live in religious groups and this could only be achieved through religion. Although most immigrants moved to new countries to seek better economic opportunities, it is of equal importance to note that religious persecution makes people moving into new lands because they want to practice their faith freely. This is the reason why many Jews had to move from England to the U.S after they were expelled from their countries on the basis of their faith. When a group of people immigrates to a new country, they often settle in a group, which comprises of people from their own country. This means that the immigrants do not have a chance of learning the culture of the new country because they tend to practice their old traditions. This results in groups that are based on the same religion or ethnicity. Although many people left their countries for America because of religious persecution, it is of paramount importance to note that many others left for a diverse number of reasons. Yes response Religion and freedom play a crucial role in ensuring that people are free and they do not have to worry about what they do in their lives. However, in most countries, freedom to practice one’s faith is not guaranteed and as a result, people find it hard to enjoy their beliefs. One ought to understand that in America, everyone is free to practice his or her religion. Between 1800 and early 1900’s religious persecution was practiced heavily especially in Europe. This is the reason why many people had to move away from their native homes in a bid to search for lands where they could practice their faiths without hindrance. Eastern Europe was known for religious persecution ;especially in Germany. This is the reason why many Jews had to move to America because the latter was a free country (Zollman). Although many Jews were seeking for better economic benefits when they migrated to America, it is worth noting that many were running away from persecution. Zollman notes that around two hundred and fifty thousand Jews had to flee from Germany before the start of the First World War (Zollman). This was the first significant number of Jews to leave Germany is search of better place to settle. It is worth noting that several of the thirteen original colonies in America were established by people who wanted to practice religious freedom with people who held the same ideas. For example, the English puritans formed the Massachusetts Bay Colony whereas the British Quakers established Pennsylvania. This is among many other colonies that include Maryland that was formed by English Catholics as well as English Anglicans who established Virginia (Olson and John 457). People like freedom and this is the reason why many of them do not want to live in oppression. The American society guarantees this freedom and this is the reason why many religious units had to move away from their native lands in search of better places to live in. One ought to understand that New England was famous for collecting money from churches to fund the government, but in the U.S, there was no official gazette religion. This is the reason why many Christians decided to flock the U.S in a bid to have the freedom that they required. In Virginia, the law prohibited any Act that would give the government powers to enforce religion on any person. This implies that the people were free to practice any religion that they believed in. This is unlike other countries especially in Europe that enforced a certain religion on the people. This gave the people a reason to move from their native lands and settle in the U.S (Feldman 10). In addition, it is worth noting that the U.S census does not ask a person of his/her religious affiliation. This shows that the people are free to believe in anything that they wish without the interference of the government. This trend has been happening in the U.S for a long time and people like it because they do not have to adhere to certain beliefs in order to feel accepted in their respective communities (Olson and John 456). Majority of Americans are Christians, which was introduced to the country by the European colonizers. However, a notable number of Americans belong to the other religious outfits, which include Hindu, Muslim and Judaism among others. It is worth noting that a notable size of the American population does not belong to any religious group. Tax money was used to fund churches, this did not augur well with most Europeans, and they decided to leave their countries (Meade 6). No response Overpopulation in Europe pushed many people out of their countries. America had fewer people and most Europeans thought that there were better opportunities in the country that could allow them to achieve their dreams. Overpopulation meant that fewer opportunities were available in European countries and this drove many Europeans from their own countries. In addition, restrictive legislation meant that many Europeans could not live comfortable lives in their native countries. However, in America, the Europeans and especially Jews realized that they led comfortable lives without the hindrances that were posed by their leaders back at home (Saddleback Educational Publishing 45). Jews had the opportunity of securing jobs once they got to America. Industries were coming up in large numbers and because of the less population; people knew that they would be employed once they landed in America. Many immigrants were employed in the clothing and cigar-manufacturing firms. This was a great reason why many immigrants, in a bid to secure a better future decided to settle in America (Olson and John 459). On the other hand, American life was cheaper than that in European countries (Saddleback Educational Publishing 23). This can be attributed to the fact that there existed cheaper neighborhoods in most American cities that immigrants could afford as compared to the places they were living back at home. This, coupled with the employment opportunities pushed many Europeans from their homes to America. Affordable housing schemes were coming up in most of the cities in America and this meant that many people could afford accommodations (Meade 4). Other immigrants chose to go to America as traders. The French, for example, were fur traders but once they reached the America, they decided to settle there. This shows that there were better trading conditions in America as opposed to other western countries. European countries were already developed, which means that they had better industries but the market was diminishing. Traders had to look for market for their commodities and they ended up settling in America (Saddleback Educational Publishing 72). Land was abundant in the America and as a result, people who could not have access to land in their homelands had to move away from their countries in search of this rare commodity. Acquisition of land was easy in America during this time and people found it easy to acquire property without much ado. In addition, Germans who are famous farmers up to now found the accessibility of land easy in Wisconsin. They were helpful to Native Americans because they provided them with fruits and vegetables among other nutrients. Moreover, Norwegian left their homelands because they had heard about the vastness of land in America and they wanted to settle there and farm because their lands were less (Olson and John 456). Famine and overcrowding pushed the Swiss out of their homes because they understood that America was the land of plenty. The Swiss realized that they could not sustain their livelihoods once in their countries but opportunities were plenty in America. They settled in America as farmers and encouraged other communities to follow them. The first Swiss people to arrive in America were beef farmers but they could not afford cows due to poverty. However, with the help of friends they were able to buy dairy cattle that they are even famous for today for the cheese they produce (Saddleback Educational Publishing 23). Slavery plays a significant role in the arrival of blacks in the America. Massive investment in agriculture in America meant that labor was needed in the country and it could be provided by blacks from Africa. Numerous trips were made to Africa to collect slaves who were to be used as beasts of burden by their masters in their farms. The fact that slaves were owned by their masters meant that they could not return to their homes and as a result, they had to settle in America (Meade 4). Other industries that were present in America attracted people from different countries. Mining was new in the country and people were eager to reap benefits associated with mining. For example, the Finnish people were initially employed in mines but they turned their livelihoods into farming. Most of the immigrants did not change their culture for they embraced anything that they had inherited from their countries. On the other hand, the sprucing up of companies such as tanneries provided employment for the Italians. Many other Europeans escaped their countries because of high taxes that made their jobs unsustainable. The European knew that American life was cheaper and as a result, they decided to settle there (Bryant). Analysis Religion played a significant role in the reason why many people had to move to America but it ought to be understood that economic hardships also resulted in many people opting to migrate to America. Immigration has been there since time immemorial because people have to look for better opportunities than the ones they are living in. Religious persecution was rampant in Europe and many people had to escape to America because life there was free. The Jews did not have any rights in Germany but they realized that they could live peaceful lives in America. They migrated to the country and established their own communities that respected all the things that they believed in. The fact that America is multicultural provided a safe place for any person to live in harmony. However, it is worth noting that America was new to the world during this time, which means that it was less populated. Abundance of land and the emergence of numerous firms ensured that there was a lot of work to be done. Countries were becoming overcrowded and expensive to live in due to taxes. However, the American life was cheap because America was developing fast. Farmers, as well as people who were willing to work in factories had an opportunity to secure a job. This was unlike other countries in which finding work was hard. Slavery was another reason why people were moved to America. Abundance of land ensured that there was a lot of farm work to be done. Slaves provided free labor for their masters and they settled in America because they could return to their homes. Slaves were African Americans who were sold to the Europeans by Arab slave traders. Works cited Bryant, Joyce. “Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute. Immigration in the United States”, 2011. Web. 21 May 2012. Feldman, Noah. Divided by God. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. (2005). Print. Meade, Teresa A. A History of Modern Latin America: 1800 to the Present. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2011. Print. Olson, Laura R. and John C. Green. “The religion gap. PS:” Political Science & Politics 39: (2006): 455–59. Saddleback Educational Publishing. US History Binder 1. Volume 1 of US History Binders. London: Saddleback Educational Publishers, 2008. Print. Zollman, Joellyn. “Jewish Immigration to America: Three Waves Sephardic, German, and Eastern European immigrants each contributed to the formation of American Jewry”, 2012. Web. 21 May 2012. Read More