Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in the 1800s-1900s - Essay Example

Immigration Explore the reasons for a pervasively anti-immigrant sentiment in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Focus on at least three immigrant groups, their motivation (generally) for coming to the U.S., what they were hoping for versus the reality of their new lives (the discrimination they faced), groups who reacted negatively to their continuing flow into the country (the forms discrimination they practiced), and the kind of pressures put upon them in order for them to assimilate. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, famines, job scarcity, increasing taxes, crop failures and religious and political maltreatment forced people belonging to different parts of the world to leave their countries and immigrate to the United States of America mainly because it was considered to be a land of economic opportunities. Almost 12 million immigrants arrived and settled in United States of America during 1870 to 1900 with elevated hopes for their bright future. The majority of the immigrants belonged to Germany, Ireland and England. In the beginning, the immigrants settled near the areas of entry, however, they succeeded to make their way inside the country with the passage of time. Keeping in view the continuous influx of immigrants and their immense need to get jobs, employers stated taking their advantage. No amount of jobs was enough to accommodate all the immigrants. Men were paid less as compared to other workers and women in turn were paid even less ("Immigration to the United States, 1851-1900"). Immigrants were often labeled and stereotyped by the people residing in America. This prejudice led to social tensions among the immigrants and the Americans. Moreover, they were frequently discriminated against Americans and made to suffer stereotypical attitude, physical and verbal abuse only because they were different. Apart from social strains, the new comers brought their culture with them resulting in huge diversity in various cities as well as states. Another reason which contributed the social tension was the clash between what immigrants sought after and what the government required of them. By offering attractive jobs and land for farming, the states with meager populations tried to attract the immigrants towards them. However, immigrants, on the other hand, wanted to settle themselves in the communities set up by the people previously living there from their own home countries ("Immigration to the United States, 1851-1900"). The official class of Norway openly showed their disdain towards other Norwegians who left their country to migrate to America and mocked everything even remotely related to America. The main reasons for this dislike included Negro slavery and American humbug. However, the tenants or extremely poor Norwegian farmers, after collecting some money that barely paid for their travel to as far as Chicago or Milwaukee, immigrated to America with the hopes of a better future. They considered America safer and more suitable place to live as compared to their own homeland. Norwegians mainly settled in the Midwest, Minnesota and Dakotas in particular. On the other hand, the letter they received from their fellow Norwegians already working in America were disheartening. They conveyed how they had acquired almost nothing and these otherwise proud farmers would not be able to think of going to America without feeling humiliated and self-ashamed. The Americans received them with kindness but having little knowledge about Scandinavian countries at that time and seeing their bewildered state, they considered them not only less fit but also inferior to them in every aspect. Consequently, this made the immigrants feel disgraced and dishonored and they set about to prove that they were not inferior to Americans in any way. Furthermore, they had to endure political discrimination as well. They lived in farming communities and they did find people sharing their cultural values but it separated them from the American community permanently. They did not force very strong anti-immigrant sentiment but they were still targeted by the Americans and had to bear inhospitable remarks. They were labeled as guests that clearly signified that they did not belong to America and would have to leave eventually. Hence, it became essential to interact with the people living outside their farms in order to keep them running. It was crucial to their survival and existence as immigrants in the United States of America. As a result, they began to develop relations with the larger American community ("Recollections of a Norwegian Immigrant").  Chinese workers immigrated to the United States in the 1850s. They intended to work in gold mines as well as factories and other areas related to agriculture. They played a major role in the accomplishment of railroads in the west of America. As the population of Chinese workers increased, the anti-Chinese sentiment strengthened among the other workers of the American Economy. This reaction towards Chinese resulted in the legislation that was intended to limit and minimize the future immigration of the Chinese to the United States of America. It also threatened to jeopardize the diplomatic relations between China and the United States. These objections against Chinese mostly mushroomed due to the cultural and economic tensions and most importantly ethnic inequity. Chinese wanted to support their families residing in China and hoped to repay the loans to the merchants who paid for their travel to America. Based on these reasons, they were left with no choice but to work for whatever money they got. Moreover, Chinese successfully managed to settle in the neighborhoods of the previous settlers of their own country and got indulged in unconstructive activities like visiting prostitutes, smoking opium and gambling. Anti- Chinese elements used these reasons to limit the immigration from East Asia by expressing their concern about the declining moral standards of American societies due to the negative activities of the Chinese workers. At last in 1879, the supporters of immigration restriction succeeded in passing legislation in congress to minimize the immigration of Chinese to the United States of America. This legislation restricted the number of the incoming Chinese immigrants to fifteen per vessel (Office of the Historian).  Germans immigrated to the United States of America mainly seeking for religious freedom. Nearly one million Germans immigrated in 1850s and their immigration continued nearly until 1880s. Germany economy was continuously declining after the Napoleonic wars and the ever increasing demands of the increased population were difficult to meet. This social and economic discrimination among Germans in their own country led to their immigration towards United States of America. Germans were mainly dominant in the fields of Music, baking and brewery. However, on the other hand, they also worked as farmers and laborers. They were mostly involved in small family businesses. Like other immigrant groups, Germans also became the victims of discrimination, racism and were stereotyped as well. They were considered to be brutal and beer swallowing entities. The German children couldn’t continue their schools due to their battered conditions and left schools at early ages. They helped their family members to earn money and also served as domestic servants. Apart from men and children, women worked in service industries. As a result of this struggle and their increased involvement in labor unions aided them in achieving better working conditions eventually. They expanded their network and got themselves acquainted with the workers belonging to other areas and backgrounds. The German culture was portrayed very narrowly that represented only few parts of the country and its people. Huge generalizations were made about the German immigrants. The assimilation of German immigrants took place gradually. As compare to the other immigrant groups, their assimilation was relatively slower mainly due to their huge population. The immigrant communities had their own churches, schools, businesses and other basic facilities. Therefore, their interaction with the wider American community was not as critical and urgent as in the case of Chinese and Norwegians as well as other Scandinavians ("German Immigrants in Texas"). Works Cited "German Immigrants in Texas.” Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2013. . "Immigration to the United States, 1851-1900." Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2013.. "Recollections of a Norwegian Immigrant." Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2013. . Office of the Historian."Chinese Immigration and the Chinese Exclusion Acts." Bureau of Public Affairs, United States Department of State. n.d. Web. 30 July 2013. . Read More