igrants came to the United States in search of an improved standard of living. In the 18th century, Germans became aware of the opportunities that waited for them in the United States: Detailed information about American business cycles, wages and food prices was widely publicized in Germany. Immigrant letters back home were read aloud in village taverns and no doubt served to correct some of the exaggerated claims made in the immigrant recruitment literature distributed by land companies and railroads (Adams, 1993). While the literature distributed by land companies and railroads was exaggerated, these letters served as inspiration and motivation for more Germans to leave their native land in search of
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