The immigration debate is overflowing from politics into the streets.
Segments of the population are outraged. Many worry whether the immigrants
can ever be assimilated. Millions of immigrants are coming for the
opportunity but are often relegated to lower paying, even dangerous, jobs.
What is the year? Is it 2005? No, it is 1890. A recurring debate in
American history is how the constant arrival of diverse peoples can be
reconciled with the American identity. What is an American?
Over 28 million immigrants arrived in America between 1880 and 1921.
What was new and controversial about these immigrants was their origin. They
emigrated from Southern and Eastern Europe with a different culture, and
contemporaries even argued a different race, than the majority of Americans.
Another commonly attacked group was the Chinese immigrants whose immigration
was legally barred beginning in 1895. Fear and a lack of acceptance
precipitated the growth of anti-immigrant, Nativist, groups which were led
especially by Irish-Americans.
Important ideas that you should analyze and consider are Nativism,
Progressivism, Social Darwinism, assimilation, and urbanization. You will be
divided into four basic groups including immigrant, progressive, party
boss/industrialist, and nativist. After researching this role the class will
hold a discussion then students will write a brief paper outlining the
beliefs of your historical figure and explaining your understanding of the
debate. The goal of this activity is to increase your understanding of the
Gilded Age immigration debate as well as to illuminate the continuities of
this debate to the present.
