Module 1

MODULE 1 

1. What was the most significant reason for European migration to America and why? Explain how this reason was significant in forming an American "cultural identity".

The most significant reason for European migration to America during this era was political, social and economic. When we say political, social and economic it means that not all immigrants were fitting into one type, but we can get the general overview why many had a motivation to come to America. I think political reason had to be the most important one out of all these, because you could not say anything to your government so did not see any future and you had no hope. If you did say something you would get in trouble and maybe even killed. A lot of countries in Europe were ruled by nobility and landed elite. A lot these people were looking for some kind of political voice or a freedom, but nobody heard them. We look at Germans and French who escaped political violence and political turmoil just to come to America (German and French everyculture). Leaving home was not easy for them, especially leaving home with a boat to come all the way to the other side of the world. Most of these immigrants who worked later for very little money had to pay back their passage with a boat for many years. I just cannot imagine what they have gone through and how hard it was for them. We can look it social reasons why many Europeans migrated to America. The first thing that comes to my mind is religious freedom which is a great social motivation (Olson & Olson-Beal, pg 7). Pilgrims and Quakers and other groups came to this land looking for their freedom from religious intolerance in their country. They looking for their little piece of land and it didn’t matter where as long as it’s somewhere peaceful. Today we see this in our country where they have influenced a lot of us; it’s one of the things you will never have to worry about. Nobody will bother you if you follow any religion. It’s a tradition...