Immigration 1800-1860
Forced immigration is an offensive term - DON’T USE IT.
Taken from Africa against their will and shipped to European colonies in the New World.
Captured in wars between African tribes and traded to European slave traders.
West African Slave Trade
Begun by Portuguese and Spanish for Latin American Colonies.
By 1776, African slaves = 20% of US population (nearly 850,000).
1808 - US Constitution allowed Congress to ban importation of slaves, which they did in 1809.
Fled to US after failed democratic revolution in 1848.
Wanted to live under religious/political freedom.
Looking for economic opportunity on Western frontier.
Typically supported public education and abolition of slavery.
Settled on frontier and midwest: Milwaukee, St. Louis, Chicago, farmers.
Faced prejudice - couldn’t speak English.
“Pennsylvania Dutch” not really Dutch - literally German.
First large number of Jewish immigrants in US.
1831: Pennsylvania permits bilingual instruction in English and German in its public schools.
INTRODUCED:
Christmas tree, Hot Dog, Hamburger, etc.
Many fled Ireland in 1847 due to potato blight (famine).
Thousands of Irish CATHOLICS flood into US - Boston and NYC.
First large wave of CATHOLICS in US.
Faced prejudice and racism: anti-Catholic and anti-Irish sentiments: Many didn’t speak English.
Tended to join Democratic Party - became leaders in large cities; NYC, Boston.
“Irish Need Not Apply” - will find jobs as laborers (Erie Canal).
US ABSORBED TEXAS IN 1845.
US ABSORBED CALIFORNIA AND SOUTHWEST IN 1848- MEXICAN WAR
Strong tradition of bilingualism in region. These individuals didn’t move - the borders did.
Chinese enter California near the time of the gold rush (1848) and are mostly employed building railroads.
Key role in Transcontinental Railroad.
Will face discrimination and anti-Chinese legislation at both state and federal level.
1854: Chinese immigrants are prohibited from testifying against whites in California courts.
1882 - US Congress bans all Chinese immigration - Chinese Exclusion Act.
Born in US and believed immigrants posed a threat to the majority culture (white, protestant, English speaking).
Nativists feared Catholics would multiply and take over nation and put it under the authority of Pope in Rome.
At different times, NATIVISTS organized to EXCLUDE certain groups - especially CATHOLICS.
American workers do not support immigration - fear immigrants will take their jobs and work for lower wages.
A political party of the 1854-56 elections.
ANTI-IMMIGRANT.
Attempted to elect government officials on the platform of restricting/limiting immigration.
Felt immigrants were “taking over the nation” - especially the Irish Catholics.
The influx of large numbers of Irish Catholics during the 19th century disturbed many conservative Americans who viewed the ethnic and religious shift in American society as a potentially damaging phenomenon.
Many publications argued that the Irish would place their loyalty to the Catholic Church above their loyalty to the US.
Also, the 1856 platform of the briefly influential “Know-Nothings” stressed the need for native-born Americans to take charge.
US Culture has always been a blend of two groups:
A) NATIVE BORN AMERICANS:
Native born outnumber immigrants.
Native born dominate politics (can vote), economics, and culture.
Have also been abusive to new immigrant groups and feared a loss of “American” culture.
B) Foreign born - IMMIGRANTS:
Must wait a period of years to become citizens - can’t vote.
Little economic/political power often work the worst jobs and live in the worst neighborhoods.
Individualism
Each person responsible for their own actions: MERITOCRACY.
Emphasized strength of CHARACTER.
Puritanism/Protestantism
Values HARD WORK/FAITH IN GOD.
Believed immigrant Catholics were sinners.
Social Equality
Only existed between Native born whites.
Forced immigration is an offensive term - DON’T USE IT.
Taken from Africa against their will and shipped to European colonies in the New World.
Captured in wars between African tribes and traded to European slave traders.
West African Slave Trade
Begun by Portuguese and Spanish for Latin American Colonies.
By 1776, African slaves = 20% of US population (nearly 850,000).
1808 - US Constitution allowed Congress to ban importation of slaves, which they did in 1809.
Fled to US after failed democratic revolution in 1848.
Wanted to live under religious/political freedom.
Looking for economic opportunity on Western frontier.
Typically supported public education and abolition of slavery.
Settled on frontier and midwest: Milwaukee, St. Louis, Chicago, farmers.
Faced prejudice - couldn’t speak English.
“Pennsylvania Dutch” not really Dutch - literally German.
First large number of Jewish immigrants in US.
1831: Pennsylvania permits bilingual instruction in English and German in its public schools.
INTRODUCED:
Christmas tree, Hot Dog, Hamburger, etc.
Many fled Ireland in 1847 due to potato blight (famine).
Thousands of Irish CATHOLICS flood into US - Boston and NYC.
First large wave of CATHOLICS in US.
Faced prejudice and racism: anti-Catholic and anti-Irish sentiments: Many didn’t speak English.
Tended to join Democratic Party - became leaders in large cities; NYC, Boston.
“Irish Need Not Apply” - will find jobs as laborers (Erie Canal).
US ABSORBED TEXAS IN 1845.
US ABSORBED CALIFORNIA AND SOUTHWEST IN 1848- MEXICAN WAR
Strong tradition of bilingualism in region. These individuals didn’t move - the borders did.
Chinese enter California near the time of the gold rush (1848) and are mostly employed building railroads.
Key role in Transcontinental Railroad.
Will face discrimination and anti-Chinese legislation at both state and federal level.
1854: Chinese immigrants are prohibited from testifying against whites in California courts.
1882 - US Congress bans all Chinese immigration - Chinese Exclusion Act.
Born in US and believed immigrants posed a threat to the majority culture (white, protestant, English speaking).
Nativists feared Catholics would multiply and take over nation and put it under the authority of Pope in Rome.
At different times, NATIVISTS organized to EXCLUDE certain groups - especially CATHOLICS.
American workers do not support immigration - fear immigrants will take their jobs and work for lower wages.
A political party of the 1854-56 elections.
ANTI-IMMIGRANT.
Attempted to elect government officials on the platform of restricting/limiting immigration.
Felt immigrants were “taking over the nation” - especially the Irish Catholics.
The influx of large numbers of Irish Catholics during the 19th century disturbed many conservative Americans who viewed the ethnic and religious shift in American society as a potentially damaging phenomenon.
Many publications argued that the Irish would place their loyalty to the Catholic Church above their loyalty to the US.
Also, the 1856 platform of the briefly influential “Know-Nothings” stressed the need for native-born Americans to take charge.
US Culture has always been a blend of two groups:
A) NATIVE BORN AMERICANS:
Native born outnumber immigrants.
Native born dominate politics (can vote), economics, and culture.
Have also been abusive to new immigrant groups and feared a loss of “American” culture.
B) Foreign born - IMMIGRANTS:
Must wait a period of years to become citizens - can’t vote.
Little economic/political power often work the worst jobs and live in the worst neighborhoods.
Individualism
Each person responsible for their own actions: MERITOCRACY.
Emphasized strength of CHARACTER.
Puritanism/Protestantism
Values HARD WORK/FAITH IN GOD.
Believed immigrant Catholics were sinners.
Social Equality
Only existed between Native born whites.
