Heimler's History: American Responses to Immigration (1865-1898)

Overview

• Focus on American responses to international immigrants during the period 1865-1898.
• Previous discussion on waves of immigrants during the Gilded Age.

Immigration During the Gilded Age

• European and Asian immigrants arrived by millions.
  • Settled in urban industrial centers.
  • Worked in factories with dangerous conditions and low pay.

Debates on Immigration

• Concerns over American identity with many "non-Americans."
• Immigrants faced identity challenges:
  • Assimilation vs. maintaining ethnic identity.
• Partial assimilation common among immigrants.

Nativism

• Definition: Policy of protecting native-born interests over immigrants.
• Protestant ministers like Henry Cabot Lodge feared "race suicide."
• Nativists formed the American Protective Association:
  • Strongly against Catholics, especially Irish Catholics.

Opposition from Labor Unions

• Fear of immigrants accepting low wages undermining union negotiations.
• Potential of immigrants replacing striking union workers.

Social Darwinism

• Applied Darwin's theories to society, fostering philosophical racism.
• Belief in racial inferiority of immigrants, especially Irish immigrants.
  • Even considered Irish a different race despite being white.

West Coast Immigration

• Significant Chinese immigration:
  • 20,000 Chinese in California by 1852; 50,000 by 1870.
  • Major contributors to the transcontinental railroad.
• Nativist hostility similar to the East Coast.
  • Economic troubles blamed on Chinese willingness to work for low wages.
  • Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882:
    • Banned further Chinese immigration.
    • Only U.S. law targeting a specific nationality.

Positive Responses

• Jane Addams and Settlement Houses:
  • Established Hull House in 1889 in Chicago.
  • Aimed to help immigrants assimilate and improve economic/social opportunities.
  • Services included English lessons, early childhood education, and democratic ideals.

Conclusion

• Immigrants faced significant challenges during the Gilded Age.
• Nativist opposition contrasted with efforts like Jane Addams' to aid immigrant assimilation.

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