The Seven Eras of U.S. Immigration History

Coming to America. Ellis Island.

When my children were growing up, we would take them to NewYork City each time we went out east to see my parents and brothers who lived in Eastern Pennsylvania. On one occasion we went to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. While growing up I'd been to these sites several times but on this last visit I noticed something I'd not seen before. Immigrants came in waves. I was struck, for example, by the tidal wave of people who fled Eastern Europe during the pogroms of the early 1900s.

Recalling Ellis Island, and the current disruptive events surrounding immigration matters, prompted me to assemble this outline of our nation's immigration history. It is my aim to follow up with additional thoughts. But first, this outline as a means of establishing a context.

U.S. IMMIGRATION HISTORY

A chronological overview of the major immigration waves into the United States, starting in the 1600s, with their primary causes 

1. Colonial Era Immigration (1600s–1775)

Who came: English Puritans, Anglicans, Scots-Irish, Germans (Palatines from war-torn region of the Rhine River), Enslaved Africans (forced migration).

Reasons why they came:
Religious persecution (Puritans, Quakers)
Economic opportunity (land, trade)
Political instability in Europe
Forced labor to sustain colonial economies

EdNote: Enslaved Africans were not immigrants by choice, but their arrival profoundly shaped U.S. history and demographics.

2. Early Republic & Open Immigration (1780s–1840s)

Who came: Germans, Scots-Irish, English artisans and farmers

Reasons why they came:
Cheap or free land
Political upheaval in Europe

---Few legal restrictions on immigration
---Rapid westward expansion

EdNote: The U.S. largely welcomed immigrants with minimal regulation.

3. Mid-19th Century Mass Migration (1840s–1860s)

Who came: Irish, Germans, Chinese (especially to the West Coast)

Reasons why they came:
Irish Potato Famine
European revolutions (1848)
Gold Rush & railroad construction
Industrial labor demand

EdNote: This wave triggered the first major anti-immigrant backlash (Know-Nothing movement).

Related Link: The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

4. Industrial Age “New Immigration” (1880–1924)

Ellis Island. Immigrants awaiting examination

Who came: Italians Jews from Eastern Europe, Poles, Hungarians, Greeks, Japanese (West Coast & Hawaii)
Reasons why they came:

Industrial jobs
Poverty & pogroms
Steamship travel made migration affordable
Chain migration through family networks

EdNote: This is the largest voluntary immigration wave in U.S. history.

5. Restriction Era (1924–1965).

Who came: Very limited European immigration, Mexican laborers (temporary programs), Internal migration of African Americans (Great Migration)

Reasons why they came:
Immigration Act of 1924 imposed ethnic quotas

Racist and eugenic thinking dominated policy

WWII labor shortages led to temporary exceptions

EdNote: This era dramatically reshaped who could not come.

6. Post-1965 Global Immigration Wave (1965–1990s)

Who came: Latin Americans, Asians (China, India, Philippines, Korea), Refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos
Reasons why they came:

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

Family reunification rules
Cold War refugee policy
Post-colonial global instability

EdNote: This law ended race-based quotas and transformed U.S. demographics.

7. Contemporary Immigration (1990s–Present)

Who comes:
Mexico & Central America
South & East Asia
Africa (growing share)

Reasons why they came:
Economic inequality
Political violence  
Global labor demand (tech, healthcare)
Family reunification

EdNote: Immigration today is more global than ever, but also more politically contested.

The Recurring Big Picture Pattern

Across 400+ years, U.S. immigration waves follow a repeating rhythm:

Push factors (famine, war, persecution)
Pull factors (jobs, land, safety)
Political resistance once numbers grow

Each wave was once seen as a “threat.”
Each eventually became part of the American mainstream.

Questions for Discussion

--When did your families arrive on America? What may have been the reasons they left their homelands to come here?    

--In what ways has immigration contributed to the evolution of American identity—from the "melting pot" ideal to modern "tossed salad" of multiculturalism—and how might acknowledging diverse immigrant histories challenge or enrich our national narrative?                                                                
--Over the past 70 years, how many immigrants have come to our borders because of economic hardships and social disruptions as a result of regime change shenanigans sponsored or instigated by U.S. covert actions?

                                                                                                                                        

Did the CIA Write the Playbook for Anti-ICE Activities in Minnesota?

CIA: Manual for Psychological Operations in Guerrilla Warfare  

It's interesting that one can now purchase a CIA manual that was written and produced as an education tool for the Nicaraguan Contra rebels in 1983. The hand
book provides instruction on sabotage, propaganda, and destabilization techniques. Ironically, as I watch events unfold in Minneapolis, it appears to now be the playbook for resistance against our own government. 

Although once top-secret, Psychological Operations in Guerrilla Warfare has been declassified and is available is available on Amazon. Its CIA origin was revealed by the Associated Press in 1984. I suppose the information is public domain now. I just finished reading and can't help but think, "What's this world coming to?"

The manual served as a training guide for "Armed Propaganda Teams" to influence the population and destabilize the Nicaraguan government. It was developed during the Nicaraguan civil war to support the "Contra" forces. The document was highly controversial, detailing methods for political manipulation and "dirty wars," which brought it before the International Court of Justice. 

The book is often listed as a primary source for understanding U.S. cold war-era covert operations in Central America, though I suspect its application has been global and not just here in the Americas. 

* * * 

"Tell me why you are crying my son

I know you're frightened like everyone.

Is it the thunder in the distance you hear? 

Will it help if I stand very near? I am here."

Peter, Paul & Mary

Day Is Done

Related Links

Propaganda Revisited

He Who Controls the Narrative Controls the People

The Purpose of Propaganda: Social Engineering

Dan Hansen's Wall Street Wrangler Graphics

Dan Hansen loved games, both board games and video games. Sometimes when we met together he'd propose that we collaborate on creating a game ourselves. Wall Street Wrangler was one concept we'd return to from time to time. We'd white board ideas, list concepts we'd aim to integrate and give assignments to one another. Often I would do research, he would do design.

Dan's vibrant game board and mobile app were always stunning—intricate maps, whimsical characters, and layered worlds. These are examples of how he made everything richer.

For the game boards we would discuss layouts. Should they be basic,

like Sorry or Monopoly. Dan favored hexagon designs and complexity.

These are examples he produced using the DALL-E AI app.

Click game board images to enlarge.

One of the board games Dan created was called Nations at Play. His aim was to create a game that would teach economics. The game mechanics incorporated adjustable income tax, interest rates, inflation and the debt of competing nations the players are rulers of.  Using ChatGPT he developed a system that takes heavy calculations out for the players by means of representative tokens or place markers which have easy to understand protocols.

Objective: To grow and prosper your nation, while managing your economy through the challenges of income tax, interest rates, inflation, and debt. The player with the most Prosperity Points (PP) at the end wins.

The ultimate aim was always to have fun, but playing these games would also teach you how the world really works.

Another game we worked on was called The Game of Influence. But that's another story.

* * * * * 

RELATED LINKS

The Wit and Wisdom of Dan Hansen (Part 1)

A Light That Still Shines: Honoring Our Friend Dan

Excitement Reigns! The Mummy's Curse™️ Board Game

Elon Musk and the Drake Maye Conspiracy

Conspiracy theories rarely begin with malice. More often, they begin with coincidence—improbable patterns repeating themselves, money moving in ways that defy common sense. I have had a view friends who are very attuned to these kinds of controversies, and once they grab hold of something it's like a mongoose fastened to the neck of a cobra.

FOR LEGAL PURPOSES I MUST NOTE THIS STORY IS A WORK OF FICTION

Drake Maye*

As soon as the Patriots won the AFC Championship I saw it in a flash, but like most level-headed theorists I had verify what I intuited. There was something fishy about the loss to the Broncos Sunday. It prompted me to go back and look at the game tapes--not the Pats & Broncs but the previous week. Was there something nefarious in the manner in which Bo Wix had his ankle broken? A second-by-second breakdown of the incident revealed something I hadn't noticed before.

Let's face it, the New England Patriots, a team most analysts had written off early, are headed to the Super Bowl. In the playoffs the Patriots have been widely regarded by analysts as outmatched, improbable finalists, but if you go back through the season, look how many games were decided by one or two bad calls by officials.

By way of contrast their opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, entered the playoffs with superior metrics across nearly every category that sports analysts love to cite: overall efficiency, defensive depth, injury management, and point differential. You would think the NFL would simply hand the Lombardi Trophy to the Seahawks while fans clustered around the halftime show.

What caught the attention of conspiracy-minded observers wasn’t just the wins, but the name Drake Maye, quarterback for the Patriots. On its face, the name means nothing. Until one notices Maye Musk, the mother of Elon Musk. At this point, responsible people stop. Conspiracy theorists, however, lean in.

From there, the questions begin—not as accusations, but as curiosities. What are the odds?

According to whispers circulating in betting circles, unusually heavy money began flowing toward the Patriots late in the season—money that didn’t align with conventional wisdom. Some gamblers described it as “confident” money rather than emotional fandom. Lines adjusted, not dramatically, but persistently, as if markets were responding to something they couldn’t quite articulate.

This is where the theory takes shape. Elon Musk, after all, is not a man associated with randomness. His public persona is built on systems, optimization, pattern recognition, and an open disdain for chaos. He has spoken often about simulations, probabilities, and the illusion of chance. To the conspiratorial imagination, that makes him the ideal unseen hand—not fixing games outright (too crude), but influencing outcomes through subtler, more deniable means.

Not bribery. Not rigging. Something more elegant.

The theory proposes that Musk, motivated by filial devotion, sought to honor his mother by orchestrating the perfect tribute: a Super Bowl victory bearing her name. The NFL, always sensitive to narrative and symbolism, would hardly resist such a storyline. A mother honored. A dynasty reborn. America loves a clean arc. 

 

Conspiracy theories thrive not because they are true, but because they are narratively satisfying. They impose intention where chance feels intolerable. Whether the Patriots’ run is destiny, coincidence, or simply good football is almost beside the point. What matters is how quickly we reach for hidden hands when outcomes refuse to behave. 

This kind of speculation has been going on for years. The controversial Drake Maye Conspiracy ultimately tells us less about football than about ourselves. It reveals how quickly coincidence becomes intention, how easily admiration for systems morphs into suspicion of control, and how stories rush in to fill the gaps where uncertainty lives.

The Patriots may win the Super Bowl. They may lose. Either way, the season will end as it always does—with explanations that feel insufficient to those who crave design. Conspiracy theories offer something comforting: the assurance that someone, somewhere, is in charge. That's why I am putting my money on Elon. I mean, the Patriots.

If reality refuses to cooperate, so be it.

* * * 

THIS STORY IS A WORK OF FICTION. It was conceived when I randomly noticed Elon's mom's name in a Wikipedia listing yesterday.

The Drake Maye photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.
For more information visit Wkipedia

The Wit and Wisdom of Dan Hansen (Part 1)

At Dan's funeral service. Dan's father was a master
craftsman, hence the boat and rigging. Dan likewise
was an astonishing artist.

While our friend Dan Hansen was among us, he was sensitive about being exploited as a handicapped person. He did, however, have much to say about philosophy, life and the world we live in, and most of all he wanted to make this world a better place for everyone. 

As the 19th century Scottish poet and essayist Alexander Pope once said, "If a man is worth knowing at all, he is worth knowing well." Dan Hansen was such a man. 

I had the privilege of being his friend and collaborator on numerous projects that included treatments for screenplays, stories, games and a novel of such importance that it became the center of our times together for two-and-a-half years. Here are a handful of quotes and observations by Dan that will give you the flavor of this inspiring man.

DAN QUOTES

 

Of his 2015 Art Show
“In order to create that, I had to get inside the mind of God.”

 

Dan’s Life Experience

“The whole life I’ve lived has been fascinating… and sort of intoxicating.”

 

Dan’s Life Experience

“I live in a tiny box but I am not a tiny box. 

I barely understand able-bodied people and they

absolutely don’t understand me.”

 

Pronouns

I / it   “I’ve felt like a teddy bear with a slot for double A batteries. “Oh, he talks.”

 

Regarding our Novel & AI

“It's a new crack cocaine, really, I mean, it's pure idea, adrenaline, yeah, even if I'm dog tired from no sleep, I muster up the energy. Maybe it takes me an hour to warm up in the morning, but after I get my initial warm up, I keep going. Can't stop. I just can't stop, and I'm, I'm wired till the end of the day despite no sleep.”

 

AI 

“If you can win an argument with AI and get it to acknowledge that you won the argument, you can get it to eat out of your hand and you can tell it, can command it what to do, almost like breaking a horse.”

 

Dan’s World

"I'm doing the impossible because I live the impossible. Look at me. Everything is impossible. I wake up an impossible. That's what I do. I've been doing that my entire life."

 

Problem Solving

"Escapism is a fake escape.

Solving the problem is a real escape.

The Act of Solving a problem.” 

Is as important as Solving the Problem."

 

On the Novel

"I want to get super granular, but I want to get super expansive, too."

 

On the Novel

Dan: I want to dedicate this book to God.

Ed: Bach did that with all his composing. “Te Deum” That is, “To God.”

Dan: That is so great. I love GodI

On Politics
“At this stage I have no political opinions or views to express. It's a giant circus from where I sit. Yet it's a failed circus. We need a new idea. I think a real travelling circus show might provide more structure and coherence as a political party. We should elect academically trained clowns for office. The Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp in Buffalo Minnesota might be a good start for aspiring young statesmen in the midwest. Their slogan is "You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm!". This is more than just a slogan to me; it's a vision statement. This is the type of direction, leadership, and will-to-power attitude required to restore this once great nation back to its former glory.”

* * * 

It is my intention and hope to share more details about the projects Dan and I worked on together over the past 12 years. If you wish to receive this in your inbox, there's a "Subscribe" form in the right-hand column. If it doesn't work, please let me know.

Dan Hansen died December 28, 2025, due to pneumonia and complications of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He would have been 47 this March. Read his full obituary here.