Migration in the Past: 20th century migration in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Estonia and Turkey

Immigration to France The pace of industrial growth attracted millions of European immigrants into France at the end of 19th century, beginning of 20th century, with especially large numbers arriving from Poland, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, and Spain.

After the World War I demographic situation in France was alarming: a large part of working-age population was killed and labor force was in short supply. As a result, France signed agreements to encourage economic immigration. France brought in workers from Italy, Poland and Czechoslovakia.

The economic crisis of the 1930s also had an impact on migration, leading to the return of many immigrant workers to their home countries.

Singled out as “foreign rivals� on the job market by native workers, they were the first victims of the crisis. Thousands of Polish immigrants, for example, were obliged to leave France and go home in the next few years.

After the end of Spanish Civil War and establishment of Franco dictatorship about 200 000 Spaniards were forced to leave Spain, 14 000 took refugee in France.