Effects of Migration (1750-1900)

Migration led to a significant gender imbalance in home societies because the majority of migrants were men seeking work in urban centers or cash-grabbing operations.
The absence of men necessitated women taking on traditionally male roles, such as breaking ground for planting and tending to livestock in subsistence farming areas.
In South Africa, approximately 60% of households were led by women due to male absence.
Women gained financial independence by selling excess food like cassava in the market.
A popular saying among women in the region was, "What is man? I have my own money."

Ethnic enclaves are geographic areas with a high concentration of people of the same ethnicity and culture in a foreign culture.
Migrants tended to move to cities, leading to the growth of diverse immigrant populations in ethnic enclaves within major urban areas of the Western Hemisphere.
These enclaves provided a familiar cultural outpost for migrants, where they could speak their native language, practice their religion, and eat ethnically distinct foods.
For example, Indians who migrated to Mauritius and Natal practiced both Hindu and Muslim religions in their ethnic enclaves.
The presence of these communities contributed to the cultural diffusion of their home cultures into the receiving society.
Irish enclaves in cities of the Eastern United States led to the growth of Catholicism, challenging the traditionally Protestant identity of the US.
Chinese migrants to Southeast Asia clustered in ethnic enclaves and became key players in the colonial economy.

Nativism is a policy of protecting the interests of native-born people over against the interests of immigrants.
Immigrants often faced nativist resistance despite filling low-wage jobs and contributing to the economies of the receiving societies.
Nativism is rooted in ethnic and racial prejudice and fear of cultural difference.
Irish immigrants in the United States were deemed a lower race and faced political and social marginalization.
Governments passed policies to restrict immigration in response to nativist reactions.
- Chinese Exclusion Act (United States): Banned almost all Chinese immigration due to resentment over their growing numbers and anti-Chinese riots.
- Chinese immigrants were vital in the construction of railroads.
- Anti-Chinese riots in the 1870s and 1880s, included brutalization and lynchings.
- Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act as a result.
- White Australia Policy (British Government): Aimed to maintain a British (white) identity in Australia by cutting off the flow of Asian immigrants.
- Large numbers of Chinese immigrants arrived in Australia in the nineteenth century.
- The British government was concerned to keep Australia white and introduced the White Australia policy which cut off the flow of Asian Immigrants to Australia.