1. Nativist Political Cartoons A Microcosm of the Gilded Age
Understanding Nativism
Mr. Port

2. Why did people immigrate to US in 1800’s?
Push/Pull Factors
Push: Seek Religious Freedom, Escape Poverty/starvation, Totalitarian Government,
Pull: Economic Opportunity (strong capitalist system not seen everywhere in Europe), Gold Rush! Sense of adventure/change life

3. What is Nativism? Opposition to outside influences or outside cultures
the policy of protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against those of immigrants.
Here is a brief video clip of Nativism seen in the New York harbor
Thomas Nast particularly famous for some of his nativist themed political cartoons
Lets interpret a few nativist political cartoons to try and discover their meaning..

8. Discussion: What do the Political Cartoons represent?
Why was there so much resentment to immigration in the mid-1800’s through the Gilded Age of the United States
How did immigrants contribute to our country?
-- provided working hands for the creation of new powerful industries
--Helped to build transcontinental railroad
--Became politically involved
--New cultural aspects
Established a new way of life in the United States
How can we learn from Nativism today?