Unit 6: Topic 9 - Responses to Immigration in the Gilded Age Flashcards
Who was Henry Cabot Lodge and what were his views on immigration?
Henry Cabot Lodge was a popular politician and member of Congress from 1887-1924. He was a nativist that believed that immigration would cause members of “inferior races” to intermingle with pure-blooded Americans and weaken the U.S. unless stricter immigration laws were put into place.
What were the views of some of the anti-immigrant nativist groups during the late 1800’s?
The American Protective Association claimed that Irish Catholics were immigrating in such large amounts that Catholic politicians were winning more elections than ever before. They believed the Catholic Church was planning a takeover of the United States through immigration.
Many labor unions feared that immigration would create a large pool of workers that were willing to work for less money. They worried that this would result in cheaper wages and undermine their bargaining power because any strikes would result in union workers being replaced by immigrant labor.
Explain how Social Darwinism related to immigration.
Social Darwinism was an idea created by Herbert Spencer that attempted to apply the theory of evolution within human society.
According to this theory, people who were rich and successful were better at a genetic level. Their success was proof that they were more evolved humans. If immigrants were moving to the United States because they were poor, it meant they were less evolved people and should be turned away before they degrade the American gene pool. To be clear, Social Darwinism is a racist and classist idea.
What was the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)?
In response to the increase in Chinese immigration, nativist politicians passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. This law banned Chinese immigration and was repeatedly renewed until 1943.
The act was a response to both labor concerns and an effort to increase white “racial purity.” Previous to the ban, discriminatory laws existed, requiring special taxes for Chinese miners and laws barring Chinese testimony in court. Other acts, such as the Immigration Act of 1882 (which placed a head tax of 50 cents per immigrant upon arrival), restricted immigration, but the Chinese Exclusion Act was unique with its focus on a specific ethnic or national group.
How did Jane Addams work to help new immigrants to the United States?
Jane Addams helped establish settlement houses, which assisted immigrants’ assimilation into society. Settlement houses offered English and citizenship classes, daycare and kindergarten, cultural activities, and more.
What was the Hull House?
The Hull House was one of the most well-known settlement houses. It was started in Chicago by Jane Addams in 1889 and soon became known as a model for other settlement houses across the world. At the Hull House, immigrants were taught English, and their children had access to classes, activities, and clubs to help them become productive citizens. These ranged from cooking, sewing, music, and art classes to library access and a museum.
