Nativism Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is nativism?

Nativism is the support of residents of the United States rather than immigrants or newcomers.

What percentage of immigrants were Irish during the antebellum period?

33.3% (1/3)

Why did the Irish leave Ireland?

Over a million immigrants left because of the potato famine.

Why did the Germans leave Germany?

A million immigrants from Germany left because of economic hardships and failed democratic revolutions. Signup and view all the answers

How did nativism come to fruition?

Many native-born Americans were alarmed by the influx of immigrants and distrusted the religions practiced by the Irish and the Germans. Signup and view all the answers

Why were the nativists alarmed by the influx of immigrants?

They thought that the newcomers would steal their jobs and weaken the culture of white supremacy. Signup and view all the answers

What religion did the Irish and some Germans practice?

Roman Catholicism Signup and view all the answers

What led to the formation of the Supreme Order of the Star-Spangled Banner?

Their campaign against immigrants led to sporadic rioting in the big cities and their hatred toward Irish and German immigrants. Signup and view all the answers

What political party did the Supreme Order of the Star-Spangled Banner evolve into?

The Know-Nothing party Signup and view all the answers

Why were they called the Know-Nothing party?

When someone asked them a political question, they would answer 'I know nothing.' Signup and view all the answers

What was a major reason for the hostility toward immigrants?

Sectional divisions between the North and South and growing ethnic tensions toward native-born Protestants and immigrants. Signup and view all the answers

Which party did the Know-Nothing party draw support away from?

The Whig party (Election of 1852) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the nativist feelings fade?

Anti-foreign feeling faded because of the North/South division of the Civil War. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nativism Overview

Nativism supports preference for U.S. residents over immigrants, specifically targeting groups like the Irish and Germans.
Key driving force: fear among native-born Americans about the impact of immigrants on jobs and cultural values.

Immigration Statistics

During the antebellum period, one-third (33.3%) of immigrants were Irish.
A million Irish immigrants left Ireland primarily due to the devastating potato famine.

Reasons for German Immigration

German immigration surged with approximately one million leaving due to economic struggles and failed efforts for democratic reform.

Native Alarm

Native-born Americans expressed alarm over the growing number of immigrants, leading to distrust based on cultural and religious differences.
Concerns centered around job competition and a perceived threat to white supremacy culture.

Religious Context

Irish and many Germans practiced Roman Catholicism, which fueled suspicion among Protestant nativists.

Nativism Organizations

The Supreme Order of the Star-Spangled Banner was formed from heightened anti-immigrant sentiments, leading to riots in urban areas.
This organization evolved into the Know-Nothing party, which gained a reputation for their cryptic responses to political inquiries.

Political Influence

The Know-Nothing party emerged as a significant political entity by drawing support away from the Whig party, particularly noticed in the 1852 Election.
Hostility towards immigrants was intensified by sectional divisions and ethnic tensions, particularly between native-born Protestants and immigrant populations.

Decline of Nativist Sentiments

Nativist feelings waned during the Civil War, as the focus shifted towards North/South divisions, overshadowing anti-immigrant sentiment.

Description

Test your knowledge about nativism and its historical context in the United States. This quiz covers key facts about immigrant groups, their reasons for migration, and the societal attitudes towards them during the antebellum period. Perfect for students studying American history.