During the late 19th and 20th centuries the United States experienced an influx of immigrants, who brought with them diverse cultures, religions, and languages. Since Columbus’ voyage in 1492, immigrants sought opportunities. By the end of the 18th century, the thirteen english colonies became the United States, and the country prided itself as a “nation of immigrants.” The first wave of immigration took place during the colonial period, and the second wave took place during the mid 19th century. Because they were usually white, English-speaking protestants from Northern and Western Europe, these immigrants mostly assimilated successfully. The third wave of immigrants were not as successful in assimilating because they came from Southern and Eastern Europe and China. Old immigrants and nativists did not accept the new immigrants as Americans because they looked different and practiced non-Protestant faiths. Although the poem inscribed at the base if the Statue of Liberty welcomes immigrants through a “golden door,” immigrants during the period experienced hardships in reference to anti-immigrant feelings, prejudice, and economics. Nativists expressed their opinions about Immigration based on their Anti-Immigrant feelings. The Ku Klux Klan was an example of this because they wanted to preserve Protestant values and they thought that immigrants, especially Jews and Catholics were destroying what was truly America. (Doc. 1) This document gives insight into the beliefs of the Klu Klux Klan and Hiram Wesley Evans explains how they do not care what people think and how they thought intellectuals were stupid. One way of showing Nativists’ Anti-Immigrant feelings were through political cartoons. In one particular Political Cartoon, Uncle Sam who represented America is unhappy about letting immigrants into the U.S. There are no laws to keep them out which explains the beliefs and worries about immigrants. (Doc. 2) Another way of showing Nativists’ Anti-Immigrant feelings were through pamphlets. An example of this is through a pamphlet that explains how immigration is dangerous for workers and families because immigrants compete for jobs and business. (Doc. 4) This document was an example of propaganda which played on nativists’ and those who feared immigration's emotions. One major part of the discrimination that Immigrants faced when they came over to the U.S was the Nativists’ prejudice. In a document written by the House of Representatives in the U.S Congress, they explained how the Chinese are dangerous to the U.S and too many are “invading” our country. (Doc. 5) The Document that the House of Representatives wrote was a report if the select committee on immigration. This document shows the popular opinions and fears about the Chinese which were racist and the Chinese were discriminated against for these differences. During the Immigration of Roman Catholics, a specific group named the American Protective Association contained an oath promising to protect the U.S from Roman Catholics and to look out for the interests of protestants. The American Protective Association agreed not to hire Catholics unless there was no other options and to keep Roman Catholics out of public office. (Doc. 8) This
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Throughout immigration, owners for jobs released ads to hire people to work for them. They mostly preferred Protestants and Irish Catholics were often unwelcomed. (Doc. 6) These ads represent the struggle of immigrants finding work and it showed that the discrimination of certain ethnic groups and religion was considered acceptable. In a document written by a Polish Immigrant, he is trying to assimilate to American culture but is having a lot of difficulty. (Doc. 3) The Polish Immigrant explains how he is having trouble with poverty, language barriers, lack of skills, and education. He explains how he is in poverty in the U.S and because of this he can’t afford an education. A lot of these problems that this one Polish Immigrant had were problems that many other immigrants have had. In a document written by Paul S. Taylor, he wrote a poem in the views of a Mexican Immigrant explaining that he had his homeland (Mexico) because he was in poverty. Paul S. Taylor also explained how to immigrant did not want to be shamed for leaving because he had no choice. (Doc. 7) It can be inferenced that if he was in poverty in Mexico, he would be in poverty once he came into the U.S and would have a difficult start. This poem shows the inner conflicts of a Mexican leaving his home
Throughout immigration, owners for jobs released ads to hire people to work for them. They mostly preferred Protestants and Irish Catholics were often unwelcomed. (Doc. 6) These ads represent the struggle of immigrants finding work and it showed that the discrimination of certain ethnic groups and religion was considered acceptable. In a document written by a Polish Immigrant, he is trying to assimilate to American culture but is having a lot of difficulty. (Doc. 3) The Polish Immigrant explains how he is having trouble with poverty, language barriers, lack of skills, and education. He explains how he is in poverty in the U.S and because of this he can’t afford an education. A lot of these problems that this one Polish Immigrant had were problems that many other immigrants have had. In a document written by Paul S. Taylor, he wrote a poem in the views of a Mexican Immigrant explaining that he had his homeland (Mexico) because he was in poverty. Paul S. Taylor also explained how to immigrant did not want to be shamed for leaving because he had no choice. (Doc. 7) It can be inferenced that if he was in poverty in Mexico, he would be in poverty once he came into the U.S and would have a difficult start. This poem shows the inner conflicts of a Mexican leaving his home