Immigration and Nativism

In the Mid 19th Century

Nativism• Because of immigration, a feeling of Nativism

developed.

• Nativism is a belief that American should be for “True Americans”.

• Generally the definition of a “True American” was a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant.

Nativism

• Prejudice was often directed toward the Irish and Catholic.

• Prejudice varied in different Nativism groups.

Nativism

• The first of these groups were secret fraternal societies

• The Order of United Mechanics

• The Order of the Sons of America

• The United Daughters of America

• The Order of United Americans

Nativism

• Some Protestant organizations instated Anti-Catholic programs.

• In the west however, the focus was mainly on anti immigration, and many non-WASP’s were among their ranks.

Nativism• Some of these groups took a political stance.

• One of those groups was The Order of the Star Spangled Banner. They were also known as the “Know Nothing Party” because of intense secrecy.

• This party was successful with many congressional and Gubernatorial victories.

“The Know Nothings”

• The party incorporated the Whigs and became the “American Party”. Millard Fillmore, a member of the Order of the Star Spangled Banner, ran under the American Party for President.

• The American Party helped form the Republican Party. The parties stance changed towards abolition.

Immigration

• Nativism would not have come into existence without immigration

• Immigration to America was very popular.

• In 1845, over 100,000 immigrants arrived in America.

Immigration in the 1800’s

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Immigration - Voyage

• The trip to America was difficult. It took up to three months, and the ship conditions were terrible.

• There often wasn’t enough food or water. The conditions in steerage were cramped, airless, and unsanitary. Disease was everywhere.

Illness on the Ships

SickDeadBorn

In 1849, a ships passenger list had 475 sick, 658 dead, and 76 born. A ratio of 60 percent illness was not uncommon.

Immigration - Causes

• During the 19th century, the population of Europe was growing quickly, and the crops were often doing badly.

• The peasant workers moved into the cities to work. There weren’t many factory jobs available. They were destined to lead a terrible life unless they could escape.

Immigration

• America was in much better shape than Europe.

• We had an expanding economy with lots of job available with good wages.

• Free land was even given out to immigrants. All they had to do was develop it.

Immigration - From Germany

• Germans immigrated to America because of:

• political unrest

• crop failures

• mortgage foreclosures

• poor trade prospects

• At first, Americans didn’t like German culture. In time, Germans were seen as model citizens.

Immigration - Ireland

• The Irish immigrated to American because of:

• the potato famine of 1845-47

• economic restrictions

• religious restrictions

• At first, the Irish had a hard time advancing in the work place. They took the most menial and dangerous jobs for the lowest wages. In time, the began getting involved in city politics.

Immigration

• Immigration continued to flourish in America.

• A large number of immigrants moved here between 1890 and 1930.

Thanks