New York And Its Surrounding Counties example essay topic

By the twentieth century over two million Germans have immigrated to the United States. Regardless of where they settled they came from a multitude of areas and for a variety of reasons. They were a highly diversified group in terms of regional origin, religious and political orientation, education, and socioeconomic standing. There were a multitude of push factors, or issues that caused Germans to want to leave Germany from inside the country.

One of those is that during the time of World War One, Germany's government started having mandatory military service. This meant that any male over the age of 15 would either have to serve in Germany's military or they would have to leave the country. Many people did not want to serve, and as a result they left. Some other push factors were crop failures, inheritance laws, high rents, high prices, and the effects of the industrial revolution.

These things led to widespread poverty and suffering. Also not having religious freedom was an issue. One of the pull factors, or issues that caused Germans to want to leave Germany that originated from outside the country, of the German immigration to New York was the many advertisements in foreign countries promoting cheap land in New York. This was due to an abundance of land for small fees under the Homestead Act. This was an ideal solution for the farmers who lost their jobs. They could migrate to New York and start farming here.

Also, industrial jobs important role in the promoting of New York an example of this being the railroads. They would often offer incentives to large groups of immigrants. These railroads even kept free hotels. This was ideal for many immigrants because they usually came into the country with barely any money.

Another pull factor was that relatives and friends of German natives who migrated first would write back and encourage others to follow. This led to "chain migrations". We can see by looking at 4 census report where most of the Germans migrated to where they came to New York. I found that the 1880 and 1920 were pretty similar. There were a few more counties that increased but most stayed the same. I t wasn't until the 1960 census that things started really changing.

I also noticed that the 3 counties in upper New York: St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton and Washington county which is located on the eastern side were always in the lowest percentile through all 4 censuses, they never changed. Also after the 1920 census more Germans were living in the NY City area then before. Also Erie County, which was the highest in the 1880 census, stayed high throughout out all 4 censuses. From the first census to the last, it seems the trend for the most counties with the highest German population were moving out toward western New York. Looking at the 1880 census the county with the highest amount of German was Erie County. Why was the county such a popular place to come?

The Erie Canal had opened in 1825. It made Western New York easily accessible from the Atlantic coast for the first time. For an immigrant arriving at New York harbor, looking for cheap unoccupied land to settle, Western New York was the easiest place to reach. Also there were a lot of churches in the area and most Germans were also seeking religious freedom when they came. Also they came as laborers to the Erie railroad. Moving to the 1920 census, Erie stayed high in percentage of Germans but its surrounding counties were now also gaining more German, an effect of the letters back home.

New York and its surrounding counties were also starting to see more German. This could be a result of the opportunity for Immigrants to now come through Ellis Island. Immigrants arriving through there settled in the surrounding areas. Looking at the 1960 census the German population is becoming more and is also spreading out.

There is still a lot of Germans in NY City area, but also the counties north are starting to see in increase in German population. Counties like though in the Catskill area are seeing more Germans. This could have to do with the history that the area has, which includes logging, quarrying, leather tanning, berry harvesting and trapping and fishing. There were many job opportunities available. The 2000 census which was the last one looked at shows German population increased even more throughout most counties.

I think this is because of the spreading of the Germans that are already here, less from immigration.