Race and Ethnicity: Chapter 5 Summary

• Chapter 5 Summary: Race and Ethnic Relations in the United States, review pages 1-14

Nativism vs. Patriotism

• Nativism an ideology, a governmental policy, stance that prioritizes the native-born or long-established residents interests and well-being of a given country over immigrants.
• Nativism advocates or enacts immigration restrictions
• Those who embrace nativism reject the term, identifying as "patriots," "nationalists," or "populists."

Socio-Historical Perspective Outline

• Colonial Period: Religious intolerance and ethnic differences existed in the colonies.
• Post-American Revolution and Early National Period: The 1790 Census and nativist reactions arose.
• Pre-Civil War Period and early industrialization: Structural conditions led to fears, targeting the Irish and Germans.
• Xenophobia and the Know-Nothing Party emerged, along with acts of terror and attempts to create legislative controls.

Maryland's Historical Significance

• Maryland's name honors Queen Henrietta Maria (1609-1669), the wife of King Charles I of Great Britain and Ireland (1600-1649).
• Charles I signed the 1632 charter that established the Maryland colony.
• The Maryland Toleration Act of 1649 ensured religious freedoms for Christian settlers of different denominations in Maryland.

The Colonial Period: Religion and Ethnicity

• Religion and ethnicity influenced settlement patterns, leading to cultural differences.
• Instances of religious intolerance and regionally established religious colonies occurred.
• Roger Williams founded the Baptist Church in Rhode Island.
• Religious clashes were common in the 18th century, especially between Anglicans and Baptists in the Chesapeake colonies.
• Class antagonism was a factor, with armed planters and officials breaking up Baptist meetings.
• Despite shared nationality, religious intolerance led to cultural gaps and social distance.
• Colonists shared a common trait: the necessity to survive in a new environment.
• "Old world" divisions led to conflict among European powers colonizing the Americas.
• The loss of Dutch territories, such as New Amsterdam, later became New York.
• The British came to dominate
• The Seven Years' War (French and Indian War) spanned from 1754-1763.
• WASP identity was established early on.

Slavery in 1619

• In 1619, a Portuguese slave ship, the São João Bautista, crossed the Atlantic.
• About half of the captives on the ship died before it was seized by two English pirate ships.
• The remaining Africans were taken to Point Comfort near Jamestown, Virginia.
• August 1619 is considered the beginning of racial slavery in the colonies of North America.
• Forced labor existed before 1619, but it was not based on race.
• The trans-Atlantic slave trade, began in the 15th century, introduced a system of slavery that was commercialized, racialized and inherited.

Slavery and American Capitalism

• https://vimeo.com/416490686

Slavery 1701-1775

• The majority of Africans transported to the American colonies arrived between the 1730s and 1770s.
• A combination of natural increase and continued importation swelled the African population to about 500,000 at the outbreak of the American Revolution.

The Early National Period

• A strong "Civic culture" developed that included strong beliefs in Protestantism, free enterprise, and political democracy.
• This excluded women, slaves, and Native Americans.
• Early "Nativism" originated from political fears by the Federalists.
• The Federalist believed new immigrants would not assimilate or respect WASP civic culture.

Pre-Civil War Period: 1820-1860

• Irish and German immigrants came to the United States in unprecedented numbers.
• Irish immigrants made up 44% of all immigrants in the 1830s and 49% in the 1840s.
• Xenophobia: Between 1820 and 1860, U.S. citizens viewed the large influx of immigrants as a threat to their institutions and the social order.
• Many newcomers were Catholic from politically unstable countries; anxiety mounted due to the perceived radical and Catholic threat.
• From 1820 to 2012 Immigration data by region can be observed in the attached sheet.

Immigration Statistics in the 1800s

• The 1850 census was the first to ask whether a person was foreign-born.
• In 1850, the U.S. had 2.2 million foreign-born residents.
• By 1860, this number had nearly doubled to 4.1 million, making up more than 13% of the population.
• Foreign-born population by country of birth in 1860:
  • Ireland: 1.6 million
  • Germany: 1.2 million
  • Other Western Europe: 900,000
  • China: 35,000
  • Mexico: 27,000
  • Canada: 250,000
• Cities with Largest Immigrant Populations in 1860:
  • New York City: 47%
  • Philadelphia: 30%
  • Boston: 36%
  • New Orleans: 38%
  • Cincinnati: 46%
  • St. Louis: 50%
  • Chicago: 50%
  • San Francisco: 50%
  • Milwaukee: 53%

Pre-Civil War Period: 1820-1860: Societal Reactions

• The rise of The Know-Nothing Movement.
• From the 1830s, anti-foreign organizations arose, calling themselves "native" American organizations, burnt churches and homes.
• They assaulted nuns, and killed Irish, Germans, and blacks.
• These outbursts merged into the Know-Nothing movement of the 1850s.
• The Know-Nothings launched a severe hate movement with frequent violence in largely immigrant cities.
• The Know-Nothings attracted those fearful of foreigners and amplified their worries.
• Harriet Martineau advocated for immigrants
• Intellectuals and writers challenged Nativist Xenophobia

Civil War Draft Act

• The Civil War Military Draft Act required all men between 20 and 45, citizens or immigrants, to register for the draft by April 1, 1863.
• Legally, one could avoid the draft by paying $300 ($9,351.48 today).

Conclusion: Socio-historical Analysis

• English American Dominance: English American dominance and the establishment of WASP identity as the dominant cultural norm
• Economic Exploitation: The economic exploitation of other “nationalities” was widespread
• Fears about Assimilation: Fears about an unwillingness to assimilate and acculturate
• Prosperity to Owners: Economic exploitation, particularly in the case of the Irish, brought prosperity to the owners of mines, factories, and railroads.
• Industrial Expansion: Much of the industrial expansion in the 19th century came at the expense of the immigrant workers who made it possible