U.S. Immigration: Motivations and Context (Late 19th - Early 20th Century)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to immigration to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including motivations, groups, and related concepts as described in the notes.

Immigration

The act of people moving to a country other than their own to live, work, or settle permanently.

Economic opportunity

The prospect of finding jobs and earning wages that attract people to migrate.

Freedom and liberty

The availability of personal rights and freedoms in the destination country that draw migrants.

Religious persecution

Oppression or systematic mistreatment of people for their religious beliefs.

Antisemitism

Prejudice or hostility toward Jews.

Pogrom

An organized violent attack on a minority group, especially Jews in Russia.

Eastern Europe

Region from which many Jewish migrants fled due to persecution in the late 19th–early 20th centuries.

Late 19th–early 20th century immigration

Period of large-scale migration from Europe to the United States.

Push factors

Conditions in a home country that drive people to leave (e.g., poverty, persecution).

Pull factors

Conditions in a destination country that attract migrants (e.g., jobs, freedom).

Diet and sanitation improvements

Public health and nutrition improvements that could accompany urban life and migration.

Mass immigration

Very large numbers of people moving to a country within a given period.