- Europeans: Many of the early settlers of the American West came from Europe, particularly Germany, Ireland, and Scandinavia. These immigrants were drawn to the West by the promise of cheap land and the opportunity to start a new life.
- Americans from the East Coast: As the American population grew, many people from the East Coast began to move westward in search of new opportunities. These migrants included farmers, ranchers, miners, and merchants.
- African Americans: After the Civil War, many African Americans moved from the South to the West in search of economic opportunities and freedom from discrimination. These migrants often worked as sharecroppers or tenant farmers.
- Asian immigrants: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a large number of immigrants from Asia, particularly China and Japan, came to the United States. Many of these immigrants worked as farm laborers in the West.
- Mexican immigrants: In the early 20th century, a large number of Mexican immigrants came to the United States, many of whom worked as farm laborers in the West.