During the nineteenth century and early twentieth century increased immigration centered around two specific ethnic groups. Irish and German immigrants provided a large portion of the immigrants who entered the United States between 1820 and 1920. Both ethnic groups invested in traveling to the United States for different reasons, however some immigrants were not given much choice. Economic opportunities attracted both ethnic groups to immigrate to America, however others arrived because they felt displaced or threatened in their own country. Choosing to come to America for these two groups was a similar decision, but with their similarities also came differences. The force that brought Irish immigrants can be described in two ways, both negative in the sense of the famine years and control of Protestant England. . On the other hand, Irish immigrants were able to use the United States as an opportunity for economic opportunity and as an opportunity to be free to practice their Catholic faith. The economic events that helped meet the need for Irish workers were due to the industrial growth of the United States. The transcontinental railroad was completed due to the continued hard work of Irish immigrants. The eastern half was largely built by Irish men hired by the Union Pacific Railroad Company. The chance to start a new life and put some money in your pocket was an attractive situation for struggling Irish immigrants. The inevitable factor why Irish immigrants left their homeland was the effects of the famine that was occurring among Ireland's rural population. Ireland was heavily dependent on potato crops, but when crops failed, hopes of survival diminished... half of paper... truck. Here at last is something in the actions of man which corresponds to the transmitted actions of day and night. Here we are not simply dealing with a nation, but with a teeming nation of nations. Here is action united by threads necessarily blind to particulars and details that move beautifully in vast masses. Here is the hospitality that has always indicated heroes...". (Major Problems, 151) The diversity of the United States began before the vast majority of Irish and German immigration, yet without the attractiveness of the United States to such ethnic groups, America would never have become the land of immigrants. Works Cited Daniels, Roger. Coming to America: A History of Immigration and Ethnicity in American Life. New York: Perennial, 2002. Print.Gjerde, Jon. Major Issues in American Immigration and Ethnic History: Papers and Essays. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Print.