Though immigration was not a new phenomenon in the United States, the middle and late 19th century saw a new wave of immigrants arriving from all over the world. In the 1840s, groups of relatively financially well-off immigrants arrived from northern and western Europe. These immigrants, who were often Protestant and hailed from countries like Ireland and Germany, settled in cities along the east coast and in the midwest of the United States. Later on, in the 1890s, Jewish and Catholic immigrants from southern and eastern Europe as well as immigrants from Mexico and Asia began to arrive in America. These immigrants were often poorer than those from northern and western Europe. Some were fleeing religious persecution, and others were escaping political unrest. But the common thread among most of these immigrants was that they were seeking opportunity in US cities. This influx of immigrants was fueled by inexpensive and fast travel on steamships. A once-expensive and long trip across the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean had become affordable and only took 8 to 12 days.

Which of the following best describes the relationship between steamship travel and immigration?

A
Despite the dangers and excessive costs of steamship travel, small numbers of immigrants still made it to the United States.

B
The steamship industry decided to give free rides to immigrants, but only if they were going to the United States.

C
Major increases in immigration forced the steamship industry to lower prices and offer better travel conditions.

D
As steamship travel became faster and cheaper, immigration to the United States increased.