The main emigration port until the mid-19th century was Le Havre in France, until it was surpassed by the German ports of Bremen or Bremerhaven and Hamburg. Unfavorable domestic political conditions prompted emigration from Germany. Around 1900, with few exceptions, only steamships operated the emigration routes to North America. The conditions on the ships were initially very poor. The space required for boilers, machinery, and coal supplies partially came at the expense of accommodations for emigrants. It was not until the 1870s and 1880s that general improvements were implemented. Regulations and laws were enacted for the construction and outfitting of emigrant ships, which governed the space requirements per passenger, sleeping arrangements, ventilation, lighting, sanitary facilities, provisions, medical care, and safety equipment (life jackets, etc.).