Which two countries were the largest sources of immigrants to the U.S. in the late 19th century?

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In the late 19th century, the United States experienced a massive influx of immigrants, largely driven by various social, economic, and political factors in their home countries. Germany and Ireland were the two largest sources of immigrants during this period for several reasons.

Many Germans fled their homeland due to economic hardships, political instability, and oppression following events such as the failed revolutions of 1848. They sought better opportunities and a chance to escape the socio-political turmoil in Europe. Irish immigrants, on the other hand, were predominantly driven by the Great Famine in the 1840s, which caused widespread starvation and suffering. As a result, a significant number of Irish people immigrated to the U.S. in search of food, work, and a new life.

This influx contributed to the dramatic demographic changes in the United States during that era, with the German and Irish communities becoming some of the largest and most influential immigrant groups. These populations established neighborhoods, created cultural institutions, and influenced American society in various ways.

In contrast, while Italy and Poland also contributed to immigration during the period, particularly in the early 20th century, they did not match the sheer volume of German and Irish immigrants in the late 1800s. Russia

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