Chapter 15 Section 1 Critical Thinking #4

4) What were the effects of the massive influx of immigrants to the U.S. in the late 1800s?

The results of the massive influx of immigrants to the United States in the late 1800s largely caused Americans to dislike immigration. Nativism was one of the things that rose as immigration grew, or overt favoritism towards native-born Americans. Nativism lead to anti-immigrant groups and and demands for immigration restrictions. Not all immigrants, however, were given a problem by nativists; if the immigrants were Anglo-Saxons, and from a country like England, Germany, or Scandinavia. Immigrants from Mexico and Asian countries were from the "wrong" countries. If the immigrants were of an unfavorable religion, they would be prejudiced against as well. The foundation of the nativist group the American Protective Association launched attacks again Catholics and many businesses and clubs wouldn't allow Jews in (p. 464).
As well as the rise of nativism and anti-immigrant groups, there was fear that immigrants would take all of the jobs available and leave native-born Americans without jobs or money. Particularly in the West, many native-born workers were afraid that all jobs would be taken by immigrants (Asians in the West, for the most part), who accepted lower wages. These fears led to movements passes by Congress, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act and The Gentleman's Agreement; there were many segregation movements pushed by anti-immigrant groups (p. 465).