Push and Pull Factors

Immigrants have typically been drawn, or pulled, to the United States by elements such as economic opportunity, and pushed to leave their countries of origin by things such as war, poor economic and environmental conditions, and political instability. 

During the 19th century (the 1800’s), waves of people from various countries, including China and Ireland, immigrated to the United States.

For the next few lessons; you and your child will explore historical resources to gain an understanding of why large numbers of Irish and Chinese peoples immigrated to the U.S. in the 19th and early 20th centuries. 

What were the push factors that made life hard in people’s home countries?  So hard they would want to immigrate to a foreign nation.

What were the pull factors that drew people to the U.S.?  What things that were happening in the U.S. made people want to make the hard journey to live here?