Immigration to the United States decreased during the American Revolution. There were conflicts in Europe that also contributed to the decrease in European immigration to the United States.

It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that immigration to the United States began to increase once again. The Industrial Revolution was the period in the United States when the economy shifted from agriculture to manufacturing. This industrialization of the United States led to a rapid increase in population due to a demand for a new labor force. Workers were necessary to meet the demand for the mass-production of goods.

The opportunity for better jobs and higher wages also appealed to those who lived in the rural areas of the United States, which led to the migration of Americans to urban areas. The influx of immigrants and migrants to urban areas caused urbanization, a growth in population in the cities. As they moved to American urban centers, people brought with them their language, religion, beliefs, and customs.  By doing so, they began to change the cultural landscape of America.

By the 1880s, the foreign born population had changed dramatically. Click on each of the foreign–born populations below to view its map and analyze the changes in population and location for each from 1880 to 1890. Answer the questions that follow in your notes.

1. Which region of the United States (Southwest, Northwest, South, Northeast, etc.) had the largest concentration of English-born immigrants from 1880-1890?
   Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

   Compare your answer

   The Northeast had the largest concentration of English-born immigrants from 1880 to 1890.
2. List two changes that you observed about the population of Irish-born immigrants between 1880 and 1890.
   Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

   Compare your answer

   Possible answers:
   The Irish-born population in the South decreased.
   The Irish-born population in the West increased.
   The Irish-born population increased in both the Midwest and the Northeast.
   
3. What changes did you notice in the population of German-born immigrants in Texas?
   Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

   Compare your answer

   The German-born immigration in Texas increased from 1880 to 1890.

The Industrial Revolution led to an increase in immigration in the United States as people came to take advantage of the opportunities for better wages and living conditions. The population in major cities of the United States increased, and the cities grew geographically as well.

As a result of the immigration of the selected groups in the previous maps, as well as other ethnic and racial groups that have come to the United States, the culture of the nation is a blend of the languages and religions that originate from various areas of the world. The culture of the United States today represents a blend of the contributions of many cultures.