Final answer:
Between 1830 and 1860, the majority of immigrants to the US came from Europe, with large numbers of Irish and Germans seeking better economic opportunities and escaping political turmoil or persecution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The majority of the nearly 5 million immigrants that entered the US between 1830 and 1860 were from Europe.
During the 19th century, particularly after the 1830s, the US experienced a significant influx of immigrants, predominantly from Europe. The Irish started arriving in large numbers in the 1840s, followed by the Germans after 1848. These immigrants were seeking better economic opportunities and often fleeing political upheaval or persecution in their homelands. For example, the Jewish population of the Russian Empire faced serious anti-Semitic violence, including pogroms, which contributed to their migration. Over the span of the century, Europeans consisted of the most substantial group of immigrants to the US, with a significant percentage from Germany and Ireland.