Following the Civil War, a significant influx of immigrants arrived in the United States, particularly from countries in Europe such as Germany, Ireland, and Italy, as well as from Asia, driven by opportunities for economic advancement and the promise of a better life. These immigrants differed from the current US population in that they primarily faced harsh cultural and linguistic barriers upon arrival and were often fleeing political upheaval or economic hardship, whereas today's immigrants come from a more diverse array of nations and often have varying levels of education and professional skills.