What was the primary ethnic composition of immigrants to the U.S. from 1880 to 1920?

The period from 1880 to 1920 saw a significant shift in the ethnic composition of immigrants arriving in the United States, with a notable influx of Southern and Eastern Europeans. This era is characterized by the migration of millions from countries such as Italy, Poland, Russia, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. These groups were drawn to the U.S. seeking better economic opportunities and fleeing political upheaval or persecution in their home countries.

Southern and Eastern Europeans differed notably from the earlier waves of Western European immigrants, who had predominated in the mid-19th century. As industrialization in America created a demand for labor, these new immigrants provided the workforce needed for factories, railroads, and urban infrastructure development. Their arrival also catalyzed various cultural changes within American society, leading to vibrant ethnic communities and often prompting both appreciation for diverse cultures and significant nativist backlash.

In contrast, Western Europeans, while still present, became a smaller proportion of the overall immigrant population during this time. Asian and Latin American immigration did occur but did not reach the same scale or significance as the wave from Southern and Eastern Europe during this specific timeframe. Thus, the dominant ethnic group among immigrants to the U.S. from 1880 to 192