* Industrial Revolution in U.S. created numerous jobs and opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers.
* Russian Empire experienced economic stagnation, high unemployment rates, and low wages, making America an attractive destination for economic migrants.
Freedom of Religion and Expression
* Russian government suppressed certain religious denominations, including Jews and Protestants, and censored free speech.
* America offered a haven for religious and intellectual freedom, attracting persecuted individuals seeking a place to openly express their beliefs and ideas.
Political Unrest and Persecution
* Russian Empire experienced political oppression and violence under Tsarist regime, including pogroms targeting Jewish population.
* Russian intellectuals, social activists, and revolutionaries faced imprisonment or persecution for opposing government policies.
* America offered a place of refuge for political dissidents and individuals who sought to escape political persecution.
Access to Land
* U.S. government's Homestead Act offered free land to settlers who cultivated it for five years.
* Russian peasants, who were bound to the land under serfdom until 1861, saw America as a chance to own their own land and escape agricultural poverty.
Influx of Relatives
* Many Russian immigrants were reunited with family members who had already settled in America.
* Established Russian communities provided support, assistance, and networking for new arrivals.