Question

In the 1800s, why did Europeans (Irish) come to America?

A) To find treasure and riches
B) To escape religious persecution and famine
C) To establish colonies for European nations
D) To trade with Native American tribes

Answer 1

The correct answer is option B) To escape religious persecution and famine.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the 1800s, many Europeans, specifically the Irish, came to America primarily B) To escape religious persecution and famine. The Great Irish Famine, also known as the Potato Famine, caused severe hardship in Ireland, leading to mass emigration. In search of better economic opportunities and relief from the dire conditions in their homeland, many Irish people saw America as a beacon of hope where they might find work, feed their families, and practice their beliefs without fear.

Religious freedom was a significant factor for many European immigrants, not limited to the Irish, as other groups such as Pilgrims and Puritans sought to escape persecution in their home countries. The desire for economic gain, however, was a common motive across various European nationalities, propelling the rise of a global economy as countless individuals sought prosperity in the New World.