America's immigrationAmerica, a land originally inhabited by Native Americans, later became a burgeoning international hub commonly known as the "New World". Soon after its discovery, it was considered a preferable option for religious refugees. For example, in the 1600s, due to a large Anglican presence in England, Puritans were compelled to flee to America where they created colonies. Throughout the next few centuries European citizens crossed the Atlantic Ocean to form the Thirteen Colonies. Millions of African slaves were also brought along with the Europeans to the Americas for forced labour between the 17th century and 19th century.
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Positive propaganda |
America's history with propaganda varied significantly. However, in its early years its main aim was to be considered a safe haven for those under pressure. America was often used as a land of self-determination in order to populate colonies in North America so governments, such as the British government, embellished the "American dream" and incentivised migration through cheap land and positive propaganda.
“Those new regions [America] which we found and explored with the fleet . . . we may rightly call a New World . . . a continent more densely peopled and abounding in animals than our Europe or Asia or Africa; and, in addition, a climate milder than in any other region known to us.” – Amerigo Vespucci America thrived on being iconised before it had even formed a government, and by the time it did, the population of immigrants had increased to 5.3 million, both free and enslaved. It is therefore clear that America was a nation that became very diverse religiously, culturally, and at some rate, racially. In 2014, the Migration Policy Institute states that 13.2% of the American population are immigrants, that makes up 42.2 million population increase from outside the U.S. America, though greatly dependent on slave labour and free labour when improving its economy, also flourished with its great diversity. And today, it continues this idea of hard work to continue maintaining its reputation as the "Land of the Opportunity" and the largest economy in the world. |