4 Waves of U.S. Immigration

Prior to 1840, 2 million Europeans immigrated to the U.S., 90% came from Great Britain

1840s & 1850s

• 4 million
• 90% from N. and W. Europe
• 40% from Ireland
• 33% from Germany

1880s

• 5 million
• 80% from N. and W. Europe
• 1/3 from Germany

late 1890s to early 1900s

• approx. 20 million
• nearly 1 million per year
• peak of 1.3 million in 1907
• 90% from Europe
• switch to S. and E. Europe

1960 - present

• approx. 20 million
• less than 20% from Europe
• approx. 40% from Latin America
• approx. 1/3 from Asia