Semester 1 Unit 4: Industrialization and Immigration
Notes 3: Immigration in America 1870-1920 – Nativism
Throughout its early history, America was thought of as a ______. 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 “______”. Many new immigrants did not want to abandon their traditional culture, this sentiment especially occurred where new immigrants could ______with others from their home country. During this time, many Americans began to have ______tendencies.
Nativism
Nativism was the ______of native born Americans. Many nativists also believed that people from Anglo-Saxon descent were ______than others (German, English, and Scandinavian). This belief also applied to only accepting people who were ______– Catholics and Jews were often discriminated against. In the West, nativism attacked immigrants from ______as many native-born Americans feared that Chinese immigrants would take their jobs because they accepted lower wages.
Nativism exhibited itself by people forming groups that worked to ______immigrants such as The American Protective Association. Many people of Catholic or Jewish descent were also excluded from businesses, ______, and social clubs. The anti-Chinese movement in California often resulted in vicious ______against Chinese immigrants.
Questions about the Anti-Chinese 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 ______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.
In 1882, Congress passed a bill that halted ______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 This law was not repealed until ______.
Bigotry against Chinese immigrants spread to immigrants of all ______descent. In 1906 the school board of ______segregated their schools so that Japanese students would have to attend their own school. Japan protested this treatment of their emigrants and President Theodore Roosevelt and Japan worked out a deal called the ______. Under this, Japan would ______the flow of unskilled workers to the U.S. and San Francisco would repeal its ______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 ______was sponsored by the government and concerned citizens to ______a large number from varied cultures into the dominant American ______.
Schools were developed to teach English literacy, ______, and government to new immigrants so that they could get their citizenship. ______and social etiquette were also taught. Many immigrants did not want to give up their traditional culture though. Culturally distinct urban neighborhoods ______many immigrants hold onto much of their culture.
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?
Modern US History Unit 4 Page 9 December 6, 2010