Final answer:
The majority of immigrants to the colonies came from the peasantry of European society such as southern Italy and Sicily. Jewish people from the Russian empire also immigrated to escape religious persecution and violence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The majority of immigrants to the colonies came from the peasantry of European society.
During the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, approximately sixty million Europeans sought better economic opportunities on other continents, with the bulk of people entering North America coming from southern and eastern Europe, as well as nonindustrialized or agricultural regions. Many of these immigrants were peasant farmers.
Examples of regions from which these immigrants came include southern Italy, Sicily, and other non-industrialized areas. Jewish people from the Russian empire also immigrated to escape religious persecution and violence.