Final answer:
During the late 19th century, immigrants made up a significant percentage of some of the country's largest cities, with the majority coming from southern and eastern European countries. This influx of immigrants led to growth and diversity in the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the end of the 19th century, immigrants made up a significant percentage of some of the country's largest cities. The influx of immigrants from southern and eastern European countries in the 1880s led to a rapid increase in their numbers. However, immigrants from northern and western European countries remained relatively constant during this time.
According to U.S. Census Bureau records, there was a significant increase in the number of Scandinavians living in the United States during the second half of the 19th century. The German-born and Irish-born populations also grew considerably. Many immigrants from these countries settled in the Midwest, particularly in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. In addition to European immigrants, a significant number of Chinese immigrants arrived in California between 1876 and 1890.
The majority of the immigrants who came to the United States during the 19th century were seeking better economic opportunities. They came from nonindustrialized or agricultural regions, such as southern Italy, Sicily, and southern and eastern Europe. Some were also fleeing religious persecution, particularly Jewish people from the Russian Empire. Others were political dissidents or craftspeople displaced by industrialization.
Overall, the influx of immigrants during this period contributed to the growth and diversity of the United States.