1. Belief that native-born Americans are “better” than immigrants
NATIVISM
Belief that native-born Americans are “better” than immigrants

3. Examples of Nativism 1840’s & 1850’s – Anti-Irish
Formation of the American “Know Nothing” party
Anti-Immigrant platform
Supported immigration restrictions
Supported increase in time to become a citizen – from 5 to 14 years
Vowed never to vote for an immigrant candidate

5. Anti-Asian Immigrants
1880’s – Anti Chinese
“Yellow Peril” swept California
State laws prohibit Chinese from owning or leasing land
Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882
No Chinese laborers to be admitted for 10 years
Anti Japanese
Problems in San Francisco schools led to The Gentlemen’s Agreement
US would educate Japanese within the US & Japan promised to send no more immigrants to US

6. Anti-German Sentiments during World War I
Test loyalty of German-Americans
Would they be more loyal to America or Germany?
Changed names of “German-sounding” items
Sauerkraut –”Liberty Cabbage”
Hamburg – “Salisbury Steak”

7. Quota System based on National Origin Limited Numbers of Immigrants
Formula used to restrict the immigrants considered to be “unmeltable” in the great Melting Pot
1921 – 3% of that nationality reported in the 1910 census
1924 – 2% of that nationality reported in the 1890 census
(75% of all quotas were allotted to England, Ireland, & Germany)

8. Anti-Japanese Sentiment during World War II
Following attack at Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order #9066
Japanese-Americans were relocated to internment camps for the duration of World War II

9. Immigration Act of 1965
Major revision of immigration policy – ended national origins quotas
In the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement
Established a priority based system for admitting immigrants
Family
Skills
Refugees

10. In what ways are nativism & xenophobia displayed in our society today?

12. Melting Pot or Salad Bowl
Melting Pot (Assimilation)
Discard old identity
Adopt American culture, tastes and habits
No longer feel ethnic or close to immigrant identity
Salad Bowl (Pluralism)
Maintain “old” culture and identities
Share common goals of the nation