The Jews

Sowell describes the Jewish experience in America as "the classic American success story." Jews come to the United States initially from Spain and Portugal; Sephardic Jews come to the United States in its colonial days to escape oppression. However, their numbers are relatively small. In the 19th century, German Jews, Ashkenazim, immigrated to the United States due to renewed persecution and political revolution. They are discriminated against but quickly adapt to American circumstances.

Jewish culture has, for centuries, emphasized learning and business skill which makes them particularly well-suited to advance in American society. Later, when Eastern European Jews begin to immigrate to the United States, tensions arise between them and German Jews, who are more assimilated into American society. These tensions sometimes result in German Jews attempting to drive Eastern European Jews into assimilation.

Economic conditions for immigrant Jews are initially difficult, with many Jews taking up...