Annabelle Hsieh
a) One major historical factor that contributed to the change depicted on the graph was the
expansion of the United States market economy after the War of 1812 during the
antebellum period. The expansion of the economy increased job availability, because as
the industrial revolution progressed, there were more factory jobs that were available, so
immigrants came from other countries to fill in these open jobs.
b) One historical effect that resulted from this change was rise of xenophobia. The
American people felt threatened by the immigrants, as they thought that the immigrants
would disrupt the American culture. As a result of this, factories put up signs saying
“NINA,” which stood for “No Irish Needed Allowed.” The rise of xenophobia led to the
formation of several political parties that had nativist platforms, such as the
Know-Nothings.
c) Another historical effect that resulted from this change was that the immigrants worked
factory jobs, increasing cheap labor. The immigrants who worked factory jobs worked for
long hours for lower wages. The availability of these lower pay factory jobs led to
America becoming more industrialized.