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History of English
Immigration to America: British Ancestry
According to the 1980
United States Census, 26.34% of the total population of
the United States, consisting of over 49 million
Americans, claimed English ancestry. This statistics
place these Americans as the largest ethnic group
in the United States who identify with each other by
factors based on common ancestral, cultural and social
experience. The majority of these people simply describe
themselves as "American", the title that was so fiercely
fought for in the American War of Independence.
History of English
Immigration to America: The Reasons for English Immigration to America
Why did people want to
leave England and why did they want to move to America?
The reasons for the English Immigration to America was
at first based on obtaining profit from the new lands
but quickly changed as people decided to move from
England to escape religious and political prosecution.
The prospect of a new life and owning some land was also
a major reason for the English immigration to America.
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1500's: Roanoke Island
English Immigration to America
began in the 1500's. Sir Walter Raleigh (1554-1618) led
expeditions to North America in order to found new
settlements and find gold and named Virginia in honor of
Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen. In 1585 Sir Walter
Raleigh sent several shiploads of colonists to the 'New
World', who settled on Roanoke Island. It was here that Elinor White Dare gave birth to a daughter, Virginia
Dare, the first child born of English parents in
America. The first immigrants mysteriously disappeared
and Roanoke was given the nickname of "the Lost Colony".
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1600's: The Pilgrims and the Puritans
English Immigration to America
in the 1600's recommenced in 1607 with the establishment
of the Jamestown settlement in the Virginia Colony. The
Virginia Colony consisted of Anglican and Baptist
immigrants led by John Smith and John Rolfe. The
Plymouth Colony was then founded in 1620 by the
Mayflower Pilgrims. The term 'Pilgrim Fathers' is the
name given to early settlers of the Plymouth Colony. The
Pilgrims, were part of an English church congregation of
religious separatists led by John Robinson, William
Brewster and William Bradford under the military command
of Myles Standish. It was the Pilgrims who celebrated
the First Thanksgiving to give thanks for the arrival of
fresh supplies and new colonists. In 1630 another
religious group left England in search of religious
freedom. This group was called the Puritans who
represented the next wave of English Immigration to
America. The leader of the Puritans was John Winthrop
who led a fleet of 11 vessels and 700 passengers to the
Massachusetts Bay Colony.
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1600's: The 'Great Migration' and the 13
Colonies
English Immigration to America
continued as thousands of English people undertook 'The
Great Migration' between 1620 and 1640. The English
Immigration to America led to the establishment of the
first 13 Colonies. The names of the first 13 colonies
were Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and
Georgia. A brief description of the first 13 colonies
are detailed in the history timeline of the English
Immigration to America. It is estimated that over 50,000
undertook the 3000 mile journey to America during the
Great Migration. In 1642, the English Civil War
(1642–1651) erupted and it is estimated that up to 10%
of the English migrants returned to England to fight on
the Puritan side.
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1600's: The Indian Wars of the 1600's
English Immigration to America
was hard and dangerous. English migrants became
embroiled in wars with the Native American Indians
throughout the 1600's These wars included the Powhatan
Wars (1622-1624) in Virginia, the Pequot War (1634 -
1638) in Southeastern Connecticut, the Beaver Wars (1640
- 1701) in the Great Lakes area, King Philip's War (1675
- 1677) in Connecticut and the French and Indian Wars
(1688 - 1763).
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1600's: Indentured Servants
English Immigration to America
increased significantly during the period known as 'The
Great Migration' and many came as Indentured Servants.
It is estimated that 80% of immigrants were in this
category. The Indenture system was introduced by the
English to meet the growing demand for cheap and
plentiful labor. The cost of travel to America was
prohibitive and completely out of the reach of most
English men and women. The only way to get to America
was to sign a contract as an Indentured servant. Under
the Indenture system Indentured servants emigrated
to America under contract to work between 5 to 7 years
in exchange for transportation and the prospects of
employment and a new life in America. Many Indentured
servants achieved what seemed an impossible dream and
eventually became landowners.
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1600's: Slavery
English Immigration to America
also saw the introduction of slavery to the colonies.
Black slaves from Africa were forcibly taken from their
homes to increase the profits made on the tobacco
plantations. Twenty black African slaves were were first
brought to Jamestown, Virginia in 1619. According to the
census of 1790 the number of slaves had rocketed to
694,280. The white population of this time was
3,199,355. Nearly 1 in 4 of the population were black
African slaves.
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1600's: The Headright System
English Immigration to America
substantially increased with the introduction of the
Headright System in 1691. Headrights were granted by the
London Virginia company giving 50 acres of land to
colonists who paid their own way to Virginia, or paid
the way for someone else to go. The prospect of owning
land, an impossible dream in England, was a great
incentive for English Immigration to America and enjoy
the opportunities offered in the 'New World'.
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1600's: The English Bill of Rights
As English Immigration to America
steadily increased events occurring in England had a
significant impact on the migrants. In 1688 the Catholic
King James II was deposed during the Glorious Revolution
and resulted in the English Bill of Rights being passed
in 1689. Elements of the English Bill of Rights and the
earlier Magna Carta would later feature in the
American Declaration of Independence of 1776 and in the
U.S. Constitution.
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1700's: The Indian Wars of the 1700's
There was no
restriction on immigration and the European population
was over 3 million. English Immigration to America
continued at a slower rate in the 1700's as the Britain
became a global power and continued to build the British
Empire. Wars in Europe spilled into the American
colonies with the French-Indian wars that resulted in
the British taking Newfoundland, Acadia, and Hudson's
Bay Territory from France. Additional land and new
trading opportunities became available to the English
immigrants. Other Indian wars of the 1700's included the
Yamasee and Tuscarora Wars (1711-1715) in Northern
Carolina, the Seven Years War, the Fox Wars and the the
Pontiac War (1763–66) in Ohio.
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1700's: The American War of Independence
English Immigration to America
continued into the 1700's but conflict began to grow
between the British homeland and the English migrants in
America. The English migrants demanded the same rights
as the people in England believing their rights and
liberties were being abused. The American War of
Independence (1775 - 1783) erupted. The Declaration of
Independence was signed on July 4, 1776 by men who all
shared the same English ancestry including the Founding
Fathers whose names were George Washington, John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, John Jay, Thomas
Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Congress officially
declared the end to the American Revolutionary War on
April 11, 1783 and the United States of America were
created. And the English migrants now considered
themselves as Americans..
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1800's: The 'Pursuit of Happiness'
English Immigration to America
continued and over 2 million English immigrants moved to
America in the 1800's. They were inspired by the stories
of the United States and the ideals of "Life,
Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". They wanted to
escape poverty and the class system seeking equality.
Travel was easier. The sailing ships which had taken
anything from 1-3 months to reach the US had been
replaced by steamships and the voyage was reduced to 10
days. The 1800's heralded the First Industrial
revolution, the age of iron, steam and the railroads.
English migrants had no problems with moving to the
United States - they had so much in common with the
English-Americans.
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1900's: Old Immigrants vs New Immigrants
English Immigration to America
was welcomed in the 1900's although their numbers had
dropped to those compared to immigrants from other
countries. Between 1820 - 2000 five million English
migrants settled in America. By 1910, Eastern and
Southern Europeans made up 70 percent of the immigrants
entering the country. English immigrants were readily
accepted as "Old Immigrants" who shared the cultural
heritage, history, language and ancestry of those who
initially populated America. English migrants were
considered superior to the "New Immigrants" who came
from the south west of Europe or Asia. The 1911
Dillingham Commission report on immigration had stated
that the "New Immigrants" to the US were inferior,
unskilled and uneducated workers who failed to integrate
with Americans.
History of English Immigration to
America in the 1900's
English Immigration to America
decreased in the 1900's as people who wanted to emigrate
turned to Canada and Australia who had better economic
opportunities and more favorable immigration policies.
English immigration remained low, averaging about 6% of
the total number of immigrants from Europe. However the
numbers increased following WW2 the War Brides and Fiancées Acts
allowed American Soldiers to
bring their foreign spouses to America. The downward
trend of English Immigration to America
resumed after this period and has continued into the
21st century.
English Immigration to
America Facts Sheet and Timeline for kids
Important facts about
the history of English Immigration to America and US
laws that effected the migrants from England are contained
in the following Facts Sheet and history timeline.
English Immigration to
America Facts Sheet and Timeline for kids
Fact 1
- 1585:
Sir Walter
Raleigh sponsors the first colonists who
settle on Roanoke Island.
Fact 2
-
1587:
Virginia Dare was born August 18, 1587 and
was the first child born of English parents
in America.
Fact 3
-
1607:
The Jamestown settlement in the Virginia
Colony was established.
Fact 4
-
1619:
English migrants introduced the first
African slaves to the colonies
Fact 5
-
1620:
The Plymouth Colony was then founded by the
Mayflower Pilgrims.
Fact 6
-
1626:
New York Colony founded
Fact 7
-
1634:
Maryland settled by George Calvert, Lord
Baltimore. Migrants were Catholics,
Anglicans and Baptists
Fact 8
-
1636:
Rhode Island Colony established by Puritans
Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson
Fact 9
-
1636:
Connecticut Colony founded by Puritan Thomas
Hooker
Fact
10
-
1642:
English migrants returned to England to
fight in the English Civil War (1642–1651)
Fact
11
-
1638:
New Hampshire Colony founded by Puritan John
Mason
Fact
12
-
1638:
Delaware Colony established for Quaker,
Catholic, Lutheran and Jewish migrants
Fact
13
-
1653:
North Carolina Colony established by
Anglican and Baptist migrants
Fact
14
-
1663:
South Carolina Colony established by
Anglican and Baptist migrants
Fact
15
-
1664:
New Jersey Colony founded by Lord Berkeley
and George Carteret. Migrants were Quakers,
Catholics, Lutherans and Jews
Fact
16
-
1682:
Pennsylvania Colony established by William
Penn for Quakers. Other migrants included
Catholics, Lutherans and Jewish
Fact
17
-
1689:
The English Bill of Rights was passed many
of its principles would later feature in the
U.S. Constitution.
Fact
18
-
1702:
Queen Anne's War (1702-1713) gained more
territories for the English
Fact
19
-
1732Georgia Colony founded by James Oglethorpe
and settled by Anglican and Baptist migrants
Fact
20
-
1775:
The American War of Independence began
Fact
21
-
1776:
The Declaration of Independence was signed
on July 4, 1776
Fact
22
-
1783:
Congress officially declared the end to the
American Revolutionary War on April 11, 1783
Fact
23
-
1783:
The United States of America was created and
English migrants now referred to themselves
as Americans.
Fact
24
-
1892:
The Ellis Island immigration center was
opened where immigrants from Europe,
including England, were subjected to medical
and legal examinations
Fact
25
-
The 1907 Immigration Act consisted of a
series of reforms to restrict the number of
immigrants and established the Dillingham
Commission whose report led to further
stringent and specific immigration
restrictions.
Fact
26
-
1911:
The Dillingham Commission report was issued
favoring 'Old Immigrants'
Fact
27
-
1921:
The 1921 Emergency Quota Act used of quota
system to restrict the number of immigrants
from a given country (3% of the number of
residents from that same country living in
the US based on the 1910 U.S. Census)
Fact
28
-
1924:
The Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson-Reed
Act) restricting the number of immigrants
from a given country to 2% of the number of
residents from that same country living in
the US. 87% of permits went to immigrants
from Britain, Ireland, Germany, and
Scandinavia
Fact
29
-
1945:
The War Brides and Fiancées Acts allowed
American Soldiers to bring their foreign
spouses to the US
English Immigration to America has declined
from this time
English Immigration to
America Facts Sheet and Timeline
Push and Pull Factors of
English Immigration to America
for kids
For specific examples and a list of political, economic,
environmental and social reasons and push and pull
factors of English immigration to America refer to:
Push and Pull Factors of
English Immigration
English Immigration to America
for kids
This article contains a
brief overview of English Immigration to America from the first
Immigrants through the 1800's and 1900's. Important historical events have been
highlighted which had a significant impact on English
Immigration to America. A brief description of the effect
of the first immigrants from England. Our article on English Immigration to America also outlines
subjects such as the establishment of the colonies, the
Headright system and immigration trends in the 1600's,
1700's, 1800's and 1900's. A helpful educational resource for kids on the
subject of English Immigration to America.
English Immigration to America for Kids, Schools and Homework
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*** Interesting facts about the history of English Immigration to America and brief reasons for the changes in migration patterns
*** English Immigration to America - important events in the history of America that impacted migrants from England
*** Fast, fun facts about English Immigration to America and the first migrants in the 1600's, 1700's, 1800's and 1900's
*** Interesting, brief History for kids and children, schools, homework projects on English Immigration to America
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