ID: Xenophobia in the Gilded Age
When: 1870s-1900s (Peak intensity varies by target group, but generally spans the Gilded Age)
Who:
- Native-born Americans: A significant portion of the population felt threatened by waves of immigration. Specific groups (e.g., the Know-Nothing Party earlier, but their influence waned; later, more nativist groups emerged).
- Immigrants: Primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe (Italians, Poles, Russians, Jews), Asia (Chinese), and Mexico. These groups faced the brunt of xenophobic sentiment.
- Politicians: Some politicians exploited anti-immigrant sentiment for political gain, advocating for restrictive legislation.
What:
Widespread fear and hatred of foreigners, particularly immigrants, fueled by economic anxieties, religious differences, and racial prejudice. This manifested in various ways:
- Anti-immigrant legislation: Chinese Exclusion Act (1882), restrictive immigration quotas later in the period though not yet fully implemented in this era.
- Violence and discrimination: Riots targeting specific immigrant groups (e.g., anti-Chinese violence in the West), social exclusion, and job discrimination.
- Nativist movements: Organizations advocating for the restriction of immigration and the preservation of American culture as defined by the dominant native-born white population. Propaganda campaigns depicting immigrants negatively.
- Scapegoating: Immigrants were often blamed for social problems like unemployment, poverty, and crime.
Impact: Why Significant?:
- Shaping of Immigration Policy: The period laid the groundwork for increasingly restrictive immigration policies in the 20th century.
- Social and Cultural Impact: Created deep social divisions and fostered discrimination against specific immigrant communities, leaving lasting legacies on American society.
- Political Influence: Xenophobia played a significant role in shaping political discourse and influenced the actions of both voters and elected officials.
- Economic Consequences: While immigrants contributed significantly to the nation’s economic growth, xenophobic policies and actions limited their opportunities and created social unrest.
- Rise of nativism: Fueled the growth of nativist movements and organizations that would continue to influence American politics for decades to come.