Immigrants on ocean steamer passing the Statue of Liberty, New York City, 1887. (CC0)
The story of immigration is inseparable from America's history, and usually, it's told as a tale of struggle and ultimate success. It turns out the real story is far more complicated. University of Chicago historian Tara Zahra looks at the period of mass migration to America between 1846-1940. She says it was characterized by deep anxiety, both in the US and Europe.