You are afraid of the potentially destructive influence of the
immigrants. You support restrictions on immigration. There are two main
foundations to your fear. First you strongly believe in Social Darwinism.
You believe that other races are biologically inferior to Anglo-Saxons (a
relatively popular belief for the time). If this is true then the belief
follows that not only should the inferiors not be permitted in America, but
also interbreeding could cripple the American people. Second, you are
strongly anti-radical. You are afraid of Socialism. In your opinion these
new immigrants threaten American democracy because they come from radical,
undemocratic Eastern Europe. Your fears are amplified by the numerous
strikes occurring. Also you notice that the cities are becoming crowded
which has led to increased crime. This causes you to believe that the best
way to make the cities safer and lessen crowding would be to slow the stream
of immigration. You have a strong idea of what an American is, and the new
immigrants cannot fit this description. You believe that you are doing what
is best for America and its people.
Important questions to consider as a nativist:
1. How do you feel about urbanization and industrialization?
2. What is an �American�?
3. How does Social Darwinism inform your definition?
4. Who would make good immigrants? Why?
5. Do the strikes and turmoil affect your beliefs?
6. What is your solution to the turmoil?
Internet Links
Deaths, Disturbances, Disasters, and Disorders in Chicago:
Haymarket Riot 1886, Chicago (about Socialists and Anarchists)
http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/disasters/haymarket.html
The Haymarket Riot:
Riot 1886, Chicago-about Anarchy and Socialism
http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/timeline/haymarket.html
Eugenics:
Read about sterilization laws. Did you know that California sterilized the
most people in the world in this period?
http://www.eugenicsarchive.org/eugenics/
Italian-Americans:
Read diseases, health conditions, and notice differences in culture
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~efhayes/italian.htm
In the Name of Darwin:
About Social Darwinism and eugenics
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/darwin/nameof/index.html
Social Darwinism and American Laissez Faire Capitalism:
About Spencer�s beliefs
http://www.crf-usa.org/bria/bria19_2b.htm
The New Immigrants, Head Shapes, and the Melting Pot:
Kraut�Immigrants from oppressive non-democratic regimes
http://www.pbs.org/fmc/segments/progseg2.htm
Other Resources
1. Class Text
2. Alan Kraut, The Huddled Masses: The Immigrant in American Society, 1880-
1921.
3. Arthur Link, Progressivism.