Old immigrants are immigrants who primarily came to the United States in the years 1820-1890 and were from Northwestern Europe. The immigrants came from Europe in the midst of crop failure, land and job shortages, rising taxes, and famine. Many others came to the U.S. because it was perceived as the land of economic opportunity while others came seeking personal freedom or relief from political and religious persecution.
Many of the old immigrants were mostly German, Irish, French, and English making them distinct from the new immigrants of mostly Southeast European and East Asian. In addition, old immigrants assimilated when they came to the United States. In contrast, new immigrants did not assimilate as easily as old immigrants.