Immigrants left their homes and came to the United States for many reasons. They left because of economic, religious and political factors. Some came to avoid war, corrupt governments or religious persecution. Still others came because they couldn’t find work in their own country. From as early as 1620 when the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock, America was seen as the land of freedom and opportunity. In Europe, the Pilgrims were persecuted for their religious beliefs. They came to America to find religious freedom. Economic opportunities also drew people to America. As the country grew and developed, immigrants could find jobs and the opportunity to own their own land. The number of people immigrating to the United States was not constant during every period of American’s history. As the chart indicates, immigration grew rapidly between 1870 and 1900.
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