Nativism and Xenophobia in America:A close look at discrimination against immigrant groups in the past

Name: ___________________________ Period: ___

Introduction: Between 1860 and 1920, millions of European immigrants came to America seeking a better life. Some were pushed out of their native countries due to poverty or political persecution, while others were pulled to find jobs and freedom. Unfortunately—upon arrival—many of these groups faced discrimination known as nativism and xenophobia. The following exercise will present you with five learning stations that will help you learn about these acts of hatred so that we can prevent their reoccurrence against other immigrant groups today.

Step #1: Create a hypothesis: Why were immigrants discriminated against?________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Nativism and Xenophobia Side Two

Station 1: Discrimination Against CatholicsRoman Catholicism is a Christian belief that started over 2,000 years ago. During this time period, most Catholics came from Ireland and Italy. Many Americans were scared of these newcomers becoming citizens, fearing that their allegiance might be to the Pope—their religious leader—and not to the U.S. government. This discrimination was so severe that the first Catholic to be elected President was John F. Kennedy in 1960.

Document A: The Shadow in Our Schools

1. Based on the document, where is the picture taking place?________________________________________________________

2. Based on the document, who is controlling the teacher?________________________________________________________

Document B: Nativist Riots of 1844

3. When did the riots take place? (Give a month, day, and year)

________________________________________________________

Documents C/ D: The Fiery Cross

4. Who does Rome represent?

____________________________________________________________

5. Based on the documents, what is Rome’s goal with the United States?

____________________________________________________________

Nativism and Xenophobia Side Three

Station 2: Discrimination Against IrishDuring this time period, thousands of Irish immigrants came to America looking for employment and to escape poverty—most notably the 1845-52 Potato Famine. In addition to facing discrimination for being Catholic, Irish immigrants also suffered from numerous negative stereotypes of being violent, drunk, and lazy.

Document A: No Irish Need Apply

Create a hypothesis explaining why Irish were told not to apply to work:

________________________________________________________________

Document B: Christian Examiner,

1. What does the author mean by “repulsive to our habits and our tastes?”

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Document C: Irish industries

2. Name two stereotypes the Irish are displayed of doing in the political cartoon:

A) ___________________________________________________

B) ___________________________________________________

Document D/E: The Usual Irish Way of Doing Things

3. Based on the documents, name 3 character traits that Irish are known for:A.) ________________________________________________________

B.) ________________________________________________________

C.) ________________________________________________________

Nativism and Xenophobia Side Four

Station 3: Discrimination Against Germans & ItaliansWhile many Germans in this time period came to the U.S. to escape war, they were often discriminated against as unreliable drunkards. Italian immigrants emigrated due to a lack of jobs, as well as from the massive volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 1906. Once here, they were also targets of stereotypes depicting them as Mafioso criminals; or worse, less than human.

Document A: Italians Not Wanted

1. What is the biggest complaint the author has against Italians?

___________________________________________________________________

Document B: The Unrestricted Dumping Ground

2. How are the Italians portrayed in the illustration?

___________________________________________________________________

3. What traits are shown in the illustration?

___________________________________________________________________

Document C: Regarding the Italian Population

4. Based on the document, the Italians are seen as _____________________

Document D: Hun Rule Association

5. Based on the document, the term “Hun” means

___________________________________________________________________

6. What are the Germans represented as? What problems do they supposedly bring?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Nativism and Xenophobia Side Five

Station 4: Discrimination Against AsiansDuring this time period, most Asian immigrants came primarily from China and Japan. Due to their non-European/”white” appearance and language, many found themselves discriminated against as an alien culture.

Document A and B: Anti-Chinese immigration poster & Chinese Exclusion Act

1. Based on the Chinese Exclusion Act, what was the most important reason why Chinese immigrants should be kept out of the United States? (circle one)

Economic Reasons Racial Reasons Political Reasons

Document C and D: Keep Moving

2. Based on the documents, what group of people are the signs meant for?

__________________________________________________________

3. What group of people would the neighborhood want to move in?

__________________________________________________________

Document E: Schools

4. Based on the document, what is the goal of the group?

__________________________________________________________

5. Based on the document, what group is in charge of the meeting? What main political figure is supporting this movement?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Nativism and Xenophobia Side Six

Station 5: Disrimination Against Eastern EuropeansDuring this time period, many Eastern European immigrants came to start a new life in America, including millions of Russians and Poles. These populations also had the highest percentages of Jewish population that came to America, many of whom were looking for religious freedom and employment. Due to a fear of communism, many were viewed as threats to national security.

Document A: Ford International Weekly

1. Based on the document, which famous inventor published this paper?

________________________________________________________

2. What group of people is he targeting? What does he call them?

Document C: Carl Brigham

3. What trait was being stated in the quotes? What was the overall message the author wanted to spread?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

4. What group of people did the author prefer compared to the others?

__________________________________________________________

Nativism and Xenophobia Side Seven

Develop a Claim:List the five groups presented in this lesson:

1. ________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________

Your Task:Write a response explaining how the various groups were discriminated against. You must use at least two pieces of evidence, and include at least three different groups to back your claim. For full credit, be sure to:

use proper grammar, spelling, and capitalization. thoroughly explain the reasons why they were persecuted. explain why this history is important for students to learn about today. discuss how nativism and xenophobia are dangerous to a society.

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Nativism and Xenophobia Side Eight

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________