French Immigrants, 1840-1940

Discusses the reasons French people left their homeland to come to America, the experiences the immigrants had in the new country, and the contributions this cultural group made to American society. Includes sidebars and activities.

In the 100 years from 1840-1940, more than 2 million French immigrants left Canada or France to come to the United States. Many of these immigrants settled in the New England area of the United States where cotton mills and woolen mills offered employment. Other French immigrants settled in New Orleans where a large French population had been living since the early days of French exploration. French immigrants established roots in their new land that would influence generations to come.