Chapter 13: Immigration, Expansion, and Sectional Conflict, 1840-1848 Newcomers and Natives Between 1815 and 1860, 5 million European immigrants landed in the United States. The Irish were the most numerous and Germans were a close second. Smaller proportions came from England, Scotland, Wales, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Holland. Expectations and Realities For Immigrants The desire for religious freedom drew some immigrants to the United States. For example, many emigrants from Norway were Quakers fleeing persecution by the official Lutheran clergy. However, most immigrants sailed for America to better their economic position.