IMMIGRANTS HELPED BUILD THE UNITED STATES
From 1820 to 1870, over seven and a half million immigrants came to the United States. This was more than the entire population of the country in 1810. Immigrants and their children made up half of the manufacturing workers in the Industrial Revolution. Immigrants came from countries all around the world and were forced to work long hours. Unable to speak the English language, or find suitable jobs, most immigrants accepted the conditions without complaints. They were unfamiliar with American society but needed to make a living and feed their families. Most of this country was built on the backs of immigrants.