. . . I am working in the same factory, and brother also is working in the same factory . . . And as to our country, brother says he will not return, because there is nothing to return for . . . He has no property there, and it is better for him in America, because in our country he could not even earn enough for a loaf of bread. And I also do not know whether I shall return or not. If I can return then perhaps I shall return some day or other, and if not I don’t mind, because I do ten times better in America than in our country.
— excerpt of a letter from Adam Raczkowski, a Polish immigrant to the United States, to his sister, 1906
According to the excerpt, what was the main reason immigrants such as Raczkowski and his brother came to the United States in the early 1900s?
A.
Property was much less expensive in the United States than in their home countries.
B.
Newcomers to the United States faced less prejudice than in their home countries.
C.
The United States provided more economic opportunities than other countries.
D.
Basic goods and services were much cheaper in the United States than other countries.
1 answer
C. The United States provided more economic opportunities than other countries.
In the excerpt, Raczkowski specifically mentions that he and his brother are doing much better economically in America than they would in their home country, indicating that the main reason for their immigration was the pursuit of better economic opportunities.
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