Glossary
Asian Migration
The movement of laborers from Asian countries, particularly China and Japan, to other parts of Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific.
Example:
Chinese coolies traveling to build railroads in the American West or work in Peruvian guano mines are prime examples of Asian migration.
Intra-European Migration
The movement of people within the continent of Europe, frequently from rural areas to industrializing cities.
Example:
Many Poles moved to German industrial centers like the Ruhr Valley, demonstrating intra-European migration in search of factory work.
Laborers
Individuals who perform manual or industrial work, often for wages, and were a significant demographic in global migrations during this era.
Example:
Indian indentured laborers were recruited to work on sugar plantations in Fiji after the abolition of slavery, filling critical labor shortages.
Long-Distance Migration
The movement of people over significant geographical distances, often involving crossing continents or oceans.
Example:
The journey of Chinese indentured servants to work on sugar plantations in the Caribbean exemplifies long-distance migration during this period.
Pull Factors
Attractive conditions or opportunities in a new location that draw people to migrate there.
Example:
The promise of abundant land and gold during the California Gold Rush acted as a strong pull factor for many seeking economic prosperity.
Push Factors
Conditions or circumstances that compel people to leave their homes or native regions, often due to negative situations.
Example:
The devastating Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s served as a major push factor, forcing millions to emigrate from Ireland.
Rural to Urban Migration
The specific movement of people from agricultural or countryside areas into cities, typically for employment in industries.
Example:
A young farmer leaving their village to work in a textile mill in a nearby city illustrates rural to urban migration.
Transatlantic Migration
The large-scale movement of people, primarily from Europe, across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas.
Example:
Millions of Germans and Italians participated in transatlantic migration, seeking new lives and economic opportunities in the United States and Brazil.
Urbanization
The process by which populations shift from rural to urban areas, leading to the growth and expansion of cities.
Example:
As factories expanded in Manchester, England, its population boomed due to rapid urbanization, creating both opportunities and social challenges.