November 22 Task Economic History Theory Answers PDF

***\*All graphs are contained in the excel spreadsheet also uploaded\**** 1. It analyzes the annual entry of immigrants into the United States between 1820 and 1924. To do this, open tab (1) in the Excel file "activity\_migrations\_data". Select the data and create a graph (time series...

***\*All graphs are contained in the excel spreadsheet also uploaded\**** 1. It analyzes the annual entry of immigrants into the United States between 1820 and 1924. To do this, open tab (1) in the Excel file "activity\_migrations\_data". Select the data and create a graph (time series) that allows you to visualize the evolution of total migratory flows from 1820 to 1924. Briefly analyze this graph by answering the following questions: [1.1 When was the biggest migration boom to the USA experienced? Does it coincide with the Transport Revolution?] To begin with, the transport revolution took place in the 19th century. It took different forms. First of all, it began in 1830 with the train, followed by steam navigation around 1850 and, finally, the motor car and aviation around 1900. Now, as far as the migration boom to the USA is concerned, this document can be divided into 3 main periods: First of all, there was a peak in migration between 1850 and 1854, which may in fact correspond to the transport revolution, and more specifically to the introduction and creation of several railways dedicated to passengers rather than goods transport, as well as to the first passenger transport carried out thanks to the introduction of steamboats. There were two rather similar peaks in the years 1882 and 1992, but these were not peaks directly linked to a key event in the transport revolution, but more in the continuity of it. This may be due to a fall in the price of the existing transport services, making access easier, or it may be linked to other external factors. Finally, at the beginning of the 20th century, there was a huge boom in migration to the USA. This huge boom can be explained by the beginning of the massive use of cars and aeroplanes by users, which would explain the growing boom in migration during the 20th century.  [1.2  Does it coincide with the explanations provided by the Heckscher-Ohlin model with respect to the ratio between wages and land rents in the USA?] The H-O model posits that a country will export goods that use its abundant factors of production intensively. For the U.S. during the 19th and early 20th centuries, land was abundant relative to labor, which means the U.S. was capitalizing on its comparative advantage in land-intensive production. However, the influx of immigrants, as shown in the chart, had implications for the labor market and factor prices: 1. **Immigration and Wage Pressures:** The spikes in immigration (e.g., in the late 19th century) increased the supply of labor, which likely put downward pressure on wages. This would narrow the wage-rent ratio, favoring landowners over workers. 2. **Policy Impact on Labor Flows:** The sharp drop in immigration after 1920 coincides with restrictive immigration policies (e.g., the Immigration Act of 1924). With reduced labor inflow, the supply of labor became more constrained, potentially increasing wages relative to land rents. **2. Origin: where do they come from? And why? \[Europe\] Analyze the origin of immigrants in the United States between 1820 and 1924 from Europe. ** [2.1 Do you notice a change in trend? If so, why this change in trend?] Yes, there is a clear change in immigration trends from Europe to the United States between 1850 and 1920: - **Early Period (1850--1880s):** Immigration was dominated by people from **Northern and Western Europe** (e.g., Germany, Ireland, and Scandinavia). These regions showed steady or increasing numbers during this period. - **Later Period (1880s--1920):** A shift occurred with a dramatic rise in immigrants from **Central and Eastern Europe** and **Southern Europe**. Immigration from Central and Eastern Europe surged, peaking around 1900, while Southern European immigration sharply increased in the early 20th century. - **Post-1920 Decline:** Immigration from all regions dropped significantly after 1920, largely due to restrictive U.S. policies such as the **Immigration Act of 1924**, which implemented quotas that heavily favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe. **Reasons for the Change** - **Economic Opportunities:** Industrialization in the U.S. created demand for labor, attracting workers from economically disadvantaged regions in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe. - **Push Factors:** Economic hardship, political turmoil, and religious persecution in regions like Russia, Italy, and Poland drove emigration. - **Improved Transportation:** Steamship travel made migration more accessible to poorer populations from Southern and Eastern Europe. - **Immigration Laws:** The introduction of restrictive laws in the 1920s specifically targeted immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, reflecting rising nativist attitudes. [2.2. Can you observe the stylized pattern of European emigration seen in class? ] The trends observed in the graph align with the **stylized pattern of European emigration** discussed in class, which follows a three-phase model: 1. **Premodern Era (pre-1870s):** - Limited emigration, mostly from **Northern and Western Europe**, driven by rural-to-urban shifts and early industrialization. 2. **Great European Migration (1870--1914):** - A surge in emigration occurred, driven by industrialization and economic opportunities in the U.S. - The demographic shifted as emigration from **Southern and Eastern Europe** sharply increased. People from Italy, Poland, and Russia joined earlier Northern and Western European migrants. 3. **Decline (post-1914):** - Immigration dropped significantly after World War I due to global conflict and restrictive U.S. immigration policies, such as the 1924 quotas. This pattern is reflected in the graph, as the dominance of Northern and Western Europeans in the earlier years transitions to Central, Eastern, and Southern Europeans during the peak period before sharply declining in the post-1920 era. 2.3-other regions **Factors Influencing Immigration Origins:** 1. Geographical Proximity: Countries close to the U.S., such as Mexico or Cuba, had higher immigration rates due to easier and more affordable transportation. 2. Economic Opportunities: Regions with higher demand for labor in industries like agriculture, manufacturing, or mining drew immigrants from areas with high population pressure or lower wages. 3. Social and Ethnic Networks: Established immigrant communities in the U.S. provided support systems (e.g., jobs, housing), encouraging further migration from specific regions. 4. Political and Institutional Factors: Wars, persecution, or restrictive emigration policies in the origin countries influenced migration flows. For instance, Eastern European Jews fled pogroms, while Irish immigrants moved due to famine and political instability. These factors collectively shaped the patterns of immigration visible in 1910 2.4 1. Chinese Exclusion Act (1882): - This was the first significant U.S. law explicitly restricting immigration based on ethnicity or nationality. - It prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the U.S. for ten years and was later extended. It applied to both skilled and unskilled laborers, as well as miners. - The law prevented Chinese residents already in the U.S. from obtaining citizenship and imposed strict regulations on their re-entry if they left the country. 2. Socio-Political Climate: - Anti-Chinese sentiment grew due to economic competition. Chinese laborers were often seen as taking jobs and driving down wages. - Racial discrimination and xenophobia were rampant, leading to societal and institutional exclusion. 3. Impact on Immigration Patterns: - This institutional restriction drastically reduced Chinese immigration. By 1910, the number of Chinese immigrants in the U.S. was minimal compared to other groups. - It forced many Chinese immigrants to settle in Chinatowns within urban areas, isolating them socially and economically. 4. Long-Term Effects: - Institutional exclusion reinforced racial prejudices and established a precedent for future immigration restrictions targeting other groups. - The exclusion contributed to the marginalization of Chinese immigrants in American society, limiting their economic and social opportunities. These factors explain why Chinese immigrants were not a prominent group during the early 20th century and why they are absent from the \"main origin\" representation in the map for 1910. 2.5 **Factors Influencing Spanish Emigration Patterns:** 1. Cultural and Historical Ties with Latin America: - Spain had strong linguistic, cultural, and historical ties to Latin America due to centuries of colonization and shared heritage. - This connection made Latin America a more familiar and appealing destination for Spanish emigrants, who could integrate more easily than in the U.S. 2. Economic and Social Networks in Latin America: - Existing Spanish communities and networks in Latin America provided support systems, such as job opportunities, housing, and familiarity with cultural practices. - These networks reduced the uncertainties and challenges associated with migration. 3. Institutional Barriers in the U.S.: - Immigration policies in the U.S., although not specifically targeting Spaniards, favored Northern and Western Europeans over Southern Europeans. - This institutional bias made migration to the U.S. less favorable for Spaniards. 4. Economic Opportunities in Latin America: - During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Latin American countries actively encouraged European immigration to develop agriculture, infrastructure, and industries. - Spain's economic conditions (poverty, limited industrialization) made these opportunities particularly attractive. 5. Geographical Proximity and Transportation: - Travel to Latin America was relatively easier and more affordable for Spaniards compared to crossing the Atlantic to the U.S. 3.1 **1. Northeast (*Gangs of New York*):** - Reason for Association: - *Gangs of New York* portrays the dense urban environments of cities like New York during the mid-19th century, rife with immigrant tensions and challenges. - Immigrants, particularly Irish and Italian populations, settled heavily in the Northeast to work in factories, construction, and other urban industries. - Ethnic enclaves, social struggles, and political dynamics, such as those depicted in the film, mirror the immigrant experience in the Northeast during this period. **2. Midwest (*The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly*):** - Reason for Association: - While *The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly* primarily portrays a Western setting during the Civil War, it aligns with the Midwest as a region characterized by open lands and opportunities for immigrants, particularly Germans and Scandinavians. - The Midwest was a significant destination for immigrants looking for farmland under the Homestead Act, offering them a chance to build a new life. **3. South (*Django Unchained*):** - Reason for Association: - *Django Unchained* vividly portrays the plantation economy and racial hierarchy of the American South. - While immigrant populations were smaller in the South compared to the Northeast or Midwest, immigrants who did settle here often worked in agriculture, small industries, or ports like New Orleans. - The South's labor market was largely dominated by African Americans, with few opportunities for large-scale European immigration during this period. **Personal Preference for Immigration:** - The Northeast (*Gangs of New York*) would likely be the most appealing destination for us during the mass migration era. Its established immigrant networks, industrial job opportunities, and urban infrastructure would provide a more structured environment for newcomers compared to the agricultural or racially stratified economies of the Midwest or South. 3.2  - **Long-Term Effects of Migration on Destination Regions** - **Positive Effects:** 1. Economic Growth: Immigrants fueled industrialization and agricultural expansion, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest. 2. Population Growth: Boosted demand for goods, services, and urban development. 3. Cultural Diversity: Introduced new ideas, skills, and traditions, enriching American society. 4. Innovation: Immigrant entrepreneurship and labor spurred advancements in various industries. - **Negative Effects:** 5. Urban Overcrowding: Strained infrastructure and poor living conditions in cities. 6. Labor Competition: Suppressed wages and heightened tensions with native-born workers. 7. Cultural Conflicts: Rise of nativist movements and ethnic discrimination. 8. Limited Integration: Ethnic enclaves sometimes hindered social mobility. - - **Conclusion- were positive or negative effects stronger?** - The positive effects, particularly economic contributions and cultural enrichment, outweighed the negatives, driving long-term development across regions like the industrial Northeast and agricultural Midwest.