Nativism grew strong in America during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many people born in the U.S. felt threatened by the large numbers of newcomers arriving from different countries.
They worried these immigrants would take jobs and change American culture.
Nativists treated immigrants harshly, pushing for laws to limit their rights and keep them out of the country. They spread negative ideas about foreigners through newspapers and speeches.
Some groups even used violence to scare immigrants.
The rise of nativism led to tough new rules for entering the U.S. Laws blocked certain groups, like Chinese people, from coming at all.
Others faced strict tests at places like Ellis Island.
Immigrants often struggled to find work and housing due to discrimination.
Key Takeaways
- Nativists feared immigrants would harm American jobs and culture
- Laws were passed to limit immigration and immigrant rights
- Immigrants faced discrimination in many areas of daily life
Historical Context of Nativism in America
Nativism has deep roots in American history. It grew stronger as more immigrants arrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This led to new laws and groups that tried to limit immigration.
Rise of Nativist Sentiment
Nativist ideas began even before America became independent. They got stronger in the mid-1800s as more Irish and German people came to the U.S.
Many people worried these new immigrants would change American culture. They feared immigrants would take jobs or bring crime.
The Civil War slowed immigration for a while. But after it ended, more people came from southern and eastern Europe. This led to new fears and stronger nativist feelings.
Influential Nativist Movements
The Know-Nothing Party was an early nativist group in the 1850s. They wanted to make it harder for immigrants to become citizens.
Later, groups like the American Protective Association formed. They focused on keeping out Catholic immigrants.
In the early 1900s, the Immigration Restriction League pushed for literacy tests. They thought this would limit immigration from southern and eastern Europe.
Economic Factors and Labor Competition
Many Americans worried immigrants would take their jobs. This fear grew stronger during economic hard times.
Some labor unions didn’t want immigrants to join. They thought immigrants would work for lower wages.
In the West, anti-Chinese sentiment was strong. Many blamed Chinese workers for low wages in mining and railroad jobs.
These economic fears led to laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. It stopped Chinese laborers from coming to America for many years.
Xenophobia and Fear of Cultural Change
Nativists in the late 1800s and early 1900s feared immigrants would change American culture. They worried newcomers would not assimilate and would threaten Protestant values.
Role of the Protestant Majority
The Protestant majority saw itself as the true American identity. They viewed Catholic and Jewish immigrants as a threat to their way of life. Protestants feared losing political and social power.
Many believed immigrants would not adopt American customs. They worried foreign languages and traditions would take over.
Some Protestants pushed for English-only education laws.
The American Party, also called the Know-Nothings, gained popularity. They wanted to limit immigrant voting rights and extend naturalization periods.
Anti-Catholic and Anti-Immigrant Ideologies
Anti-Catholic sentiments ran deep. Nativists saw the Catholic Church as un-American and a threat to democracy. They claimed Catholics were loyal to the Pope, not the U.S. government.
Conspiracy theories spread about Catholic plots to take over. Some feared Catholic schools would indoctrinate children against American values.
Anti-immigrant groups pushed for literacy tests and quotas. They wanted to limit arrivals from Southern and Eastern Europe. These areas had many Catholic and Jewish immigrants.
Nativists used pseudo-scientific ideas to claim certain groups were inferior. They said newer immigrants could not assimilate like earlier waves had.
Legislative Actions Against Immigrants
Immigrants faced numerous legal challenges in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Laws were passed to limit immigration, restrict voting rights, and deny citizenship to certain groups.
The Naturalization Act of 1790 and its Impact
The Naturalization Act of 1790 set early rules for becoming a U.S. citizen. It limited naturalization to “free white persons” of “good moral character.” This excluded many immigrants, especially non-whites.
The law stayed in effect for over 150 years. It shaped who could become American.
Congress made some changes over time. In 1870, they allowed African Americans to naturalize. But Asians and other non-whites were still banned.
The Act’s impact was huge. It decided who could vote, own land, and have full rights. Many immigrants were left out. This created a system of inequality that lasted for generations.
Voter Suppression and Naturalization Laws
States passed laws to keep immigrants from voting. Some required literacy tests. Others made people wait years after becoming citizens to vote.
In 1921, New York passed a law. It said immigrants had to prove they were citizens before registering to vote.
Other states followed. They added extra steps for immigrants to vote. Some demanded hard-to-get papers. Others set tight deadlines. These laws hit poor and non-English speaking immigrants the hardest.
Both Republicans and Democrats backed these laws at times. They often aimed to keep out groups they thought would vote for the other party.
The Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a harsh anti-immigrant law. It banned Chinese workers from coming to the U.S. for 10 years. The law was later extended and expanded.
Key points of the Act:
- Stopped Chinese laborers from entering the U.S.
- Denied citizenship to Chinese people already in the country
- Required Chinese residents to carry special papers
The Act was the first U.S. law to ban a specific ethnic group. It stayed in effect until 1943. This law showed how strong anti-Asian feelings were at the time.
Congress passed other laws targeting Asian immigrants. In 1917, they created the “Asiatic Barred Zone.” This banned most immigration from Asia.
Social and Political Impact
Nativist attitudes shaped American politics and society in major ways during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Anti-immigrant groups gained power and influenced laws that restricted citizenship and political participation for newcomers.
Public Office and Citizenship
The Know-Nothing Party pushed to limit immigrant access to public office. They wanted to extend the naturalization period to 21 years before immigrants could become citizens and vote.
Some states passed laws barring non-citizens from holding government jobs. This kept many Irish and other immigrants out of civil service positions.
Nativists also tried to make English literacy a requirement for citizenship and voting. This created barriers for non-English speaking immigrants.
Influence on American Politics and Society
Nativist ideas became part of mainstream political discourse. The Republican Party adopted some anti-immigrant positions to appeal to nativist voters.
Anti-immigrant sentiment led to the Immigration Act of 1924. This law set strict quotas limiting immigration, especially from Southern and Eastern Europe.
Nativism fueled a rise in American nationalism. It promoted the idea of preserving a distinct “American” culture against foreign influences.
These attitudes created social divisions. Immigrant communities often faced discrimination and pressure to assimilate quickly.
Response to Immigration and Nativism
As immigration increased in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, some Americans pushed back against newcomers. This led to tensions between nativists and immigrants.
Different groups responded in various ways to defend immigrant rights and cultures.
Activist and Community Opposition
Many activists spoke up for immigrant rights. They formed groups to help new arrivals. Some gave out food and found jobs for immigrants. Others taught English classes.
Immigrant communities banded together for support. They made clubs and organizations.
These groups celebrated their cultures and traditions. They also helped each other find work and housing.
Labor unions often stood up for immigrant workers. They fought for better pay and safer working conditions. Some unions welcomed immigrant members. This gave newcomers a voice.
Cultural and Religious Defense
Immigrants held on to their cultures as they settled in America. They kept speaking their languages at home. Many started newspapers in their native tongues.
Religious groups faced bias, especially Catholics. They built their own churches and schools.
This let them practice their faith freely. It also helped preserve their traditions.
Ethnic festivals became popular in cities. These events shared food, music, and customs with others. They helped immigrants feel proud of their roots.
Economic Arguments for Immigration
Some business owners supported immigration. They said it helped the economy grow.
Immigrants provided needed workers for factories and farms.
Economists pointed out that immigrants started new businesses. This created jobs for others. They also bought goods and paid taxes.
Supporters said immigrants brought useful skills. Some were trained in trades that America needed. Others had new ideas that led to inventions.
Cities with many immigrants often had booming economies. Places like New York and Chicago grew quickly. This showed immigration could bring prosperity.
Notable Nativist Groups and Figures
Nativist sentiments in the late 1800s and early 1900s led to the formation of organized groups and the rise of influential leaders. These entities played a key role in shaping anti-immigrant policies and attitudes during this period.
Know-Nothings and the Order of the Star-Spangled Banner
The Know-Nothing Party emerged as a powerful nativist force in the 1850s. It grew out of a secret society called the Order of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Members of this group were instructed to say “I know nothing” when asked about their activities. This led to their popular nickname.
The Know-Nothings focused on anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant views. They feared the influx of Irish and German immigrants would change American culture and values.
At its peak, the party had significant political influence. It even ran former President Millard Fillmore as its candidate in the 1856 election.
Influential Leaders and Supporters
Several prominent figures championed nativist causes during this era.
Samuel F. B. Morse, inventor of the telegraph, was a vocal nativist supporter.
Morse wrote extensively about his fears of Catholic influence in America. He believed Catholic immigrants posed a threat to American democracy.
Some former Whig Party members also embraced nativism. They saw it as a way to appeal to voters concerned about immigration.
Native-born Americans often supported nativist ideas. They worried immigrants would take their jobs or change their way of life.
These leaders and supporters helped spread nativist ideas. Their influence shaped policies and public opinion about immigrants for decades.
Cultural Depictions and Images
Nativists in the late 1800s and early 1900s used various cultural depictions to portray immigrants negatively. These images appeared in newspapers, magazines, and political cartoons.
Irish immigrants were often depicted as ape-like creatures or drunks.
Cartoonists exaggerated their features, drawing them with bulbous noses and simian faces.
Germans faced less harsh portrayals but were sometimes shown as militant or overly traditional.
Images often emphasized their foreign customs and clothing.
Chinese immigrants were depicted with exaggerated physical features and strange clothing.
Cartoons showed them as sneaky or untrustworthy.
Catholics, particularly Irish Catholics, were portrayed as loyal to the Pope rather than America.
Images showed priests controlling politicians or undermining American values.
Common themes in these depictions included:
- Immigrants as dirty or disease-ridden
- Foreigners taking jobs from Americans
- Newcomers as violent or criminal
- Immigrants refusing to assimilate
These images reinforced negative stereotypes and fueled nativist sentiments.
They portrayed immigrants as threats to American society and culture, stoking fears among native-born citizens.