McKeown2004_Global Migration 1846 1940

Global Migration, 1846-1940

Mass migration particularly significant from 1846 until 1940.
Global extent of migrations across continents not widely acknowledged by historians.
Focus often remains primarily on transatlantic migrations related to American industrialization.

Major migrations occurred in North and Southeast Asia, largely overlooked alongside transatlantic migrations.
Asia and Africa migrations conceptualized as supporting European colonial labor needs, overshadowing free migration perspectives.
Migrations were not simply random but part of systemic demographic and economic transformations.

Three main circuits of migration:
- To the Americas: 55-58 million from Europe, and approximately 2.5 million from Asia and Africa.
- To Southeast Asia: 48-52 million, mainly from India and China.
- To North Asia (including Manchuria): 46-51 million, mostly from other parts of Asia and Russia.
Significant numbers arise from each origin, though not all migrations are well documented.

Over 65% of transatlantic migrants headed to the United States.
Pre-1870s emigration primarily from the British Isles.
Migration dynamics shifted with technology advancements in transportation during the 1880s.

Migration driven by industrial demands and economic opportunities in receiving regions.
Rise in transportation technologies facilitated migration flow.

Migration patterns affected by political borders, immigration restrictions post-WWI,
1920s regulations emerged in response to rising nationalism and the influx of immigrants.

Asian migrations often misunderstood; positioned as coerced compared to perceived free European migration.
The segmentation of global migration systems limits overall analysis; migrations are affected by modern economic and political processes.

Chinese Migration:
- Mainly from Guangdong and Fujian provinces; low rate of indentured contracts relative to overall migrations.
- Massive movement into Southeast Asia primarily undertaken with colonial support or under debt obligations.
Indian Migration:
- Approximately 29 million Indians migrated to British colonies; majority did not go under indentured contracts but were assisted by colonial authorities.
Movement into North Asia began to rise after 1860; included significant numbers from Korea and Japan due to economic drives.

Population in receiving regions (Americas, North Asia, Southeast Asia) surged, significantly outpacing emigration rates in sending regions (Europe, South Asia, and China).
From 1850 to 1950, receiving regions accounted for an increasing share of the global population.

Historians often consider 1914-1920 as the end of mass migrations—a perspective challenged by ongoing migration trends into the 1920s.

Migration discussions often limit focus to transatlantic flow, failing to encapsulate broader global movements, including those from Asia and Africa.
Future research needs to reframe migration narratives, recognizing the integral role of Asian migrations and others in shaping global dynamics.

Understanding migration necessitates examining it as a social practice embedded within political frameworks and existing networks.
Emphasis should shift towards transnational networks, acknowledging the shared history and interconnectedness of migrations across regions.