Nativism

Definition

Nativism is a political and social movement that promotes the interests of established inhabitants of a region or country against those of immigrants. It often involves the belief that the native-born population should be favored over newcomers in areas such as employment, housing, and political representation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nativism was a driving force behind the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed settlers in those territories to determine whether they would allow slavery, often leading to violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions.
2. The growth of Chinese immigration to the western United States in the late 19th century led to a nativist backlash, culminating in the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, which banned the immigration of Chinese laborers.
3. Nativist sentiments contributed to the challenges faced by Hispanic citizens and new European immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as they struggled to find employment and housing in rapidly growing urban areas.
4. The 'Great Migration' of African Americans from the rural South to the industrialized North during the early 20th century was met with nativist opposition, as native-born white workers feared losing jobs and resources to the new arrivals.
5. Nativism resurfaced in the aftermath of World War I, as concerns about the loyalty of immigrants and the preservation of American culture led to the passage of restrictive immigration quotas in the 1920s.

Review Questions

• Explain how nativism influenced the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the resulting violence between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions.
  • Nativism, the belief that the interests of established inhabitants should be favored over those of newcomers, was a driving force behind the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The act allowed settlers in those territories to determine whether they would allow slavery, often leading to violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions. Nativists wanted to ensure that the new territories were settled by those who shared their views on the issue of slavery, leading to the escalation of tensions and the outbreak of violence as different groups vied for control of the region.
• Describe how nativism impacted the experiences of Chinese immigrants and Hispanic citizens in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • The growth of Chinese immigration to the western United States in the late 19th century led to a nativist backlash, culminating in the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, which banned the immigration of Chinese laborers. This nativist sentiment also contributed to the challenges faced by Hispanic citizens and new European immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as they struggled to find employment and housing in rapidly growing urban areas. Nativists viewed these newcomers as a threat to the established population, leading to discrimination, marginalization, and barriers to economic and social mobility.
• Analyze how nativism influenced the response to the 'Great Migration' of African Americans from the rural South to the industrialized North during the early 20th century.
  • The 'Great Migration' of African Americans from the rural South to the industrialized North during the early 20th century was met with nativist opposition, as native-born white workers feared losing jobs and resources to the new arrivals. Nativists believed that the influx of African American migrants would disrupt the established social and economic order, leading to increased competition for employment, housing, and other resources. This nativist backlash contributed to the challenges faced by the migrants, as they encountered discrimination, segregation, and limited opportunities in the urban centers of the North. The nativist response to the Great Migration highlights how concerns about preserving the dominance of the native-born population can lead to the marginalization of minority groups and the suppression of social mobility.

Related terms

Xenophobia: An intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.

Anti-Immigrant Sentiment: Negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards immigrants, often based on the perception that they pose a threat to the native population.

Assimilation: The process by which immigrants adopt the customs, attitudes, and behaviors of the dominant culture, often at the expense of their own cultural identity.