Migrants and the Making of America: The Short and Long Run Effects of Immigration during the Age of Mass Migration

Sandra Sequeira, Nathan Nunn and Nancy Qian

No 11899, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We study the effects of European immigration to the United States during the Age of Mass Migration (1850–1920) on economic prosperity today. We exploit variation in the extent of immigration across counties arising from the interaction of fluctuations in aggregate immigrant flows and the gradual expansion of the railway network across the United States. We find that locations with more historical immigration today have higher incomes, less poverty, less unemployment, higher rates of urbanization, and greater educational attainment. The long-run effects appear to arise from the persistence of sizeable short-run benefits, including greater industrialization, increased agricultural productivity, and more innovation.

Keywords: Immigration; Historical persistence; Economic development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B52 F22 N72 O10 O40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gro, nep-his, nep-hme, nep-int, nep-mig and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (31)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Migrants and the Making of America: The Shortand Long-Run Effects of Immigration During the Age of Mass Migration (2017)
Working Paper: Migrants and the Making of America: The Short- and Long-Run Effects of Immigration during the Age of Mass Migration (2017)
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