1. MAJOR MODERN MIGRATIONS
The past five centuries have witnessed
human migration on an unprecedented
scale, much of it generated by events
in Europe.
European migration to the Americas
occurred in different stages, with the
first occurring in the 17th century for
religious reasons.

2. A second stage occurred in the 19th century, driven by economic and environmental
conditions.

3. A third stage begins in the last quarter of the 20th
century and continues today.
They are coming to the U.S. for the same reasons as
past immigrants, but the country is much different
today.
Amongst these immigrants, many are illegal, which
creates a national debate in the U.S. over how to
handle immigration.

4. AFRICAN FORCED MIGRATION
Second only to the historic European emigration was slave migration from Africa. The
terror and destruction of slave raiding afflicted large areas of Africa. Describe the
impact of this forced migration on both African and American societies.

5. INTERNAL MIGRATIONS
Although internal migrants do not leave their countries, such movements can
also produce significant population shifts, affecting economic conditions and
political clout.

6. Governments can play a vital role in promoting internal migrations. A classic example
occurred in the 1960’s when the Brazilian govt. decided to move its capital from the
famous city of Rio de Janeiro to the yet-to-be created new capital, Brasilia.

7. The Brazilian govt. completed the mammoth task of constructing the new capital
city, creating a large internal migration of Brazilians from the coastal areas to the new
inland city. Why would the Brazilian govt. take such a big step in creating a new
capital?

8. MIGRATION DESTINATIONS in the U.S.
Americans are the world’s most mobile
people.
The two historic internal migrations are the
northward migration of black Americans
from the rural South to the urban North
and ….

9. …. the westward movement of the population as a whole. The West is still a major
migration destination and can be seen from the continual westward shift of the U.S.
population’s center of gravity.