Was migrating way easier back then (e.g., people can just board a ship with their bags to the US and settle there)? What makes migrating to most countries so difficult now?

Question

Was migrating way easier back then (e.g., people can just board a ship with their bags to the US and settle there)? What makes migrating to most countries so difficult now?

In: 491

Answer 1

Migration to the Americas slowed as these destinations transitioned from being sparsely inhabited wildernesses to developed economies with tens of millions of people or more. The original draw was cheap pristine land, away from other people if you like. As land availability decreased, so too did migration.