Why They Came
The United States experienced a large surge of immigrants during the early 1800s to the 1920s. This wave of immigrants traveled to America in order to seek greater economic opportunity, while earlier immigrants who came over in the early 1600s came mostly for political freedom. President Woodrow Wilson quoted that America “lives in the heart of every man everywhere who wishes to find a region where he will be free to work out his destiny as he chooses” (San Joaquin Delta College, 2008, para.1). This quote summarizes the major factor as to why immigrants chose to move to the United States; so that they can be free to live their own destiny. Economics were considered the main motive as to why some chose to immigrate, but some major social problems they faced in their own country were also a main factor as well. These crucial problems included wars, oppressive taxes, required military service and a strong desire to flee from the brutal control of the law (Wittke, 1839).