In short, people chose to leave their homes for social, economic and religious reasons. As a result, by 1890 among a total population of 63 million, there were more than nine million foreign­born Americans.

　　But what were the attractions? First of all, there was the promise of land which was so scarce in Europe. Next, factories were calling for workers, and pay conditions were much better than back home. Men were needed to open up the West and build the long railroads, and new towns needed settlers to live in and to develop business. There was the space for religious people to practice their faith in peace.

　　This immigration meant that by around the 1850s Americans of non­English had started to be more than those of English. As we know, there were losers. To start with, there were those unwilling immigrants, the slaves who had been used as a source of cheap labour. Nor should we forget the equally unlucky American Indians. By 1860 there were 27 million free whites, four million slaves and a mere 488,000 free blacks.

　　Nowadays, the USA is still seen by millions as the Promised Land. As always, it remains an attractive place to those who think it will offer them a second chance.

　　文章大意：本文叙述了在 1815 和 1914年之间，美国成了移民最好的去处，由于政治、经济、宗教信仰等的原因，欧洲的一些人开始向美国迁移，因为在这里人们有更多的就业机会、有商机有宗教自由，现在美国仍然是许多人想去的乐土。

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