arration
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In the early days of America the government did little to restrict immigration.
Those 500,000 who came simply settled on open land.
Most colonists came from England, convicts, and opportunity and adventure-seekers.
Like many lower-class white colonists whose passages to America were paid by others,
these first blacks were indentured servants and could earn their freedom after service.
But within a short time, African captives were being imported as slaves.
Plymouth Colony was established by the Pilgrims, who sought religious freedom.
Dutch settlers founded New Amsterdam. Huguenots fled French religious persecution.
European wars spurred immigration of Germans.
The onset of the Revolutionary War halted immigration.
With the end of hostilities in 1783, immigration resumed with the Irish fleeing English rule and French escaping revolution.
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NYC began to serve as the nation's chief immigration entrance when Castle Garden was opened in 1855.
Immigration laws were not very restrictive.
On the contrary, laws tended to encourage immigration by improving transportation facilities.
Railroad companies sent agents to Europe to attract settlers. The
railroads used posters to encourage farmers to emigrate. Better
conditions on ships and declines in travel time and fares made the
voyage across the Atlantic easier and more affordable.
Germans came to own land, to escape overpopulation, or to attain
political or religious freedom. Irishmen sought to escape poverty,
fueled by a devastating failure of the potato crop.
Discovery of gold in California spurred Chinese immigration.
The flood of immigrants, 7.5 million in all, began to alarm many native
born Americans.
Some feared job competition, others disliked the
religion or politics of the newcomers.
Many wanted to reduce immigration
and make it harder for foreigners to become citizens, especially the
Chinese. Mobs attacked them, accusing them of lowering wages and of
unfair business competition.
The first restrictions were against the entry of criminals, "immoral"
persons, Chinese labor, paupers, convicts, and prostitutes.
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