Transcript 1-4-10-Notes-3-Nativism

Unit 4
Notes 3: Nativism
Modern US History
December 6, 2010
• Throughout its early history, America was
thought of as a melting pot. This metaphor
referred to the belief that as people
immigrated to the United States they were
supposed to give up their native languages
and customs to become “Americans”.
• Many new immigrants did not want to
abandon their traditional culture, this
sentiment especially occurred where new
immigrants could settle with others from
their home country. During this time, many
Americans began to have anti-immigrant
tendencies.
Nativism
• Nativism was the favoring of native born
Americans. Many nativists also believed
that people from Anglo-Saxon descent were
better than others (German, English, and
Scandinavian). This belief also applied to
only accepting people who were Protestant
– Catholics and Jews were often
discriminated against.
Nativism
• In the West, nativism attacked immigrants
from China as many native-born Americans
feared that Chinese immigrants would take
their jobs because they accepted lower
wages.
Nativism
• Nativism exhibited itself by people forming
groups that worked to exclude immigrants
such as The American Protective
Association. Many people of Catholic or
Jewish descent were also excluded from
businesses, colleges, and social clubs. The
anti-Chinese movement in California often
resulted in vicious mob attacks against
Chinese immigrants.
Boycott
Chinese
Bakery
Propaganda
AntiChinese
Propaganda
Questions about the AntiChinese Posters
1.What is the reason that the National Bakers
Union is so upset about The Original Coffee
House employing Chinese workers?
2.What is the union using to convince people not
to go there?
3.What is the purpose of the Cigar Makers’ sign?
4.Do you think it really influenced where people
shopped?
Government Response to
Nativism
• In 1897 Congress passed a bill requiring a
literacy test for immigrants – they had to be
able to read 40 words in their native
language or in English. President Cleveland
vetoed the bill at the time, but it became law
in 1917.
Government Response to
Nativism
• In 1882, Congress passed a bill that halted
Chinese immigration to America – the
Chinese Exclusion Act. After this bill was
passed, only Chinese students, teachers,
merchants, tourists and government officials
could enter America. This law was not
repealed until 1943.
Government Response to
Nativism
• Bigotry against Chinese immigrants spread
to immigrants of all Asian descent. In 1906
the school board of San Francisco
segregated their schools so that Japanese
students would have to attend their own
school.
Government Response to
Nativism
• Japan protested this treatment of their emigrants
and President Theodore Roosevelt and Japan
worked out a deal called the
Gentleman’s Agreement. Under this, Japan
would limit the flow of unskilled workers to the
U.S. and San Francisco would repeal its
segregation in schools. The American
government also sponsored programs to help
Americanize new immigrants.
Americanization
• In the 1800’s, Native Americans were forced to
“Americanize” in an effort to destroy their
culture. Next, new immigrants were being
encouraged to become more American or
“Americanize”. This social program was
sponsored by the government and concerned
citizens to assimilate a large number from
varied cultures into the dominant American
culture.
Americanization
• Schools were developed to teach English
literacy, American history, and
government to new immigrants so that they
could get their citizenship. Cooking and
social etiquette were also taught. Many
immigrants did not want to give up their
traditional culture though. Culturally
distinct urban neighborhoods helped many
immigrants hold onto much of their culture.
Americanization
1. What were some benefits of
Americanization for new immigrants?
2. What was the bad side of
Americanization for new immigrants?
Big Question
• What did nativism have to do with how
immigration and industrialization
combined?