To accurately determine which statement reflects immigration trends between 1840-1860 and 1861-1900, let's analyze each statement based on historical context.
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Immigration from China dropped by 50 percent: In the years following the California Gold Rush and into the late 19th century (particularly starting in the 1880s), immigration from China faced significant restrictions due to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. However, during 1840-1860, immigration from China was relatively low. Comparatively, the number of Chinese immigrants significantly increased during the Gold Rush, but then faced a steep decline after 1882. Nevertheless, the exact figures are needed to confirm whether this statement is accurate as framed.
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Immigration from Ireland increased by 300 percent: Irish immigration was at its peak during the 1840s, largely due to the Great Famine (1845-1852). By the 1860s, the number of Irish immigrants was still significant but did not see such exponential growth after the famine years. A 300 percent increase would likely be an overestimate when comparing these two periods.
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A higher percentage of immigrants were coming from Canada: Canadian immigration increased significantly, particularly because many Canadians migrated to the United States for various reasons, including economic opportunities. However, the overall percentage of immigrants from Canada compared to other countries like Ireland and Germany may not have notably increased to make a definitive statement.
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A lower percentage of immigrants were coming from Scandinavia: Scandinavian immigration (primarily from countries like Norway and Sweden) increased during the later half of the 19th century (after 1860), as many people left Europe for better opportunities in the U.S. Thus, it is likely that while the absolute numbers of immigrants from Scandinavia could have increased, their percentage relative to other larger immigrant groups, like Germans and Irish, could lower when compared to the earlier period.
Based on this analysis, option 4 is the most plausible statement regarding immigration trends—suggesting that while the overall numbers may have gone up, the relative percentage compared to other origins would have been lower during the later period. Therefore, 4 is the most accurate statement considering general immigration trends from those times. However, it's always good to consult the specific data for concrete verification.
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