About 18 million immigrants came to America and for many reasons. The most well-known reason people immigrated to America was to pursue the “American Dream.” The promise of financial freedom lured many away from their povern-stricken nations. Other reasons for immigration to America included escape from political turmoil, escape from religious persecution, and to have a voice in their own government. However bright the dreams of success and freedom were, the Nativists did not always make immigration pleasant for those immigrants. Nativists strongly opposed new immigration and had beliefs that it was a threat to society. Nativists were concerned immigrants were too different to fit in, that they would cause crime and violence, and they threatened American economy because they accepted lower wages. Three specific measures were attempted to halt immigration: The Chinese Exclusion Act, to ban Chinese immigration; The Gentlemen’s Agreement, where Japan would agree to send only skilled immigrants; and the Literacy test which meant no English, no
About 18 million immigrants came to America and for many reasons. The most well-known reason people immigrated to America was to pursue the “American Dream.” The promise of financial freedom lured many away from their povern-stricken nations. Other reasons for immigration to America included escape from political turmoil, escape from religious persecution, and to have a voice in their own government. However bright the dreams of success and freedom were, the Nativists did not always make immigration pleasant for those immigrants. Nativists strongly opposed new immigration and had beliefs that it was a threat to society. Nativists were concerned immigrants were too different to fit in, that they would cause crime and violence, and they threatened American economy because they accepted lower wages. Three specific measures were attempted to halt immigration: The Chinese Exclusion Act, to ban Chinese immigration; The Gentlemen’s Agreement, where Japan would agree to send only skilled immigrants; and the Literacy test which meant no English, no