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A New Life in the Colonies: A Comparison of Migration to America Aaron Fogleman’s Hopeful Journeys and Virginia Anderson’s New England Generation provide comprehensive factual accounts of immigration to America during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The authors give vivid details and provide actual immigrant testimonials to depict the struggles and successes of those who made the journey from Europe. Both books reveal intricate details that make a distinction between the immigration of the Germans and the Great Migration. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss and contrast the factors that brought German and English immigrants to America, make a comparison between how and where they chose to settle, and demonstrate the similarities and differences in the social structure as illustrated by Fogleman and Anderson. One could say that the reasons why emigrants moved to the colonies are indicative of who they are and had a direct result on what they became in America. There were three key reasons why settlers migrated to the United States: desire for religious freedom, poor economic circumstances, and encouragement by propaganda. For many, religion was a key aspect in their decision to come to Colonial America in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. However, Fogleman believes that religious freedom has been overemphasized as a motivation for German emigrants. While many emigrants believed that they would be escaping religious persecution, Fogleman points out that many European countries were actually far more tolerant than the British, who still ruled Colonial America during this time period. Catholicism was publicly banned in the colonies, whereas general religious tolerance was promised in many eastern European countries. In sharp contrast to Fogleman’s views, in his book, Anderson states that religious freedom was a key motivator during the Great Migration. While the economic situation in New England could not be completely promising to immigrants, many trusted that they would find religious salvation in America. The Puritan movement was extremely prevalent during the seventeenth century, as many sought release from the corrupt England. Many of those migrating to New England went as missionaries, in hopes of spreading their Christianity and pure beliefs. Anderson indicates, “this shared commitment to Puritan principles…became the common thread that stitched individual emigrants together into a larger social and cultural fabric” (Anderson, p. 40). Puritanism no longer would face opposition, but would now become the foundation for growing colonies. The economic situation in the colonies was another undeniable factor for immigration according to both Fogleman and Anderson. In Germany, the economic circumstances were increasingly negative. Population size was vastly increasing, and as a consequence both land and employment were becoming scarce. Germans saw bright opportunities in America, and were willing to take the awful journey across seas for economic opportunity. According to Fogleman, “not only was land abundant and affordable, but taxes were low and the ‘freedoms’ available to the general population were generous” (Fogleman, p. 33). Land seemed unlimited in the colonies, and was there for the taking at little cost or restriction.
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