1. Identify a period related to Nativism.
Nativism has deep roots in the history of the U.S., but, particularly, during the previous century, when both labour organizations and nativists fought for restriction on the amount of immigrants. One of the ways to expel foreign workers was literacy test that was not adopted by the president. Its opponents wanted to create special commission, which resulted in The U. S. Immigration Commission that had a task to examine immigration process and its effect.
After the First World War, main focus of nativists was put on representatives of Catholic Church, Hebrews, and Europeans, which meant that their nativism got racial and/or religious reasons.
In 1921 the American government issued the bill with immigration quotas, which three years later was followed by the Immigration Act, which cut the previous number twice.
Immigration reductionism movement started in the 70s and goes on until now. Its members require big, or even complete, reductions in the levels of immigrants. The new life of the movement started at late 20th century, and was oriented on illegal immigrants (mainly Mexican, who cross the border of the U.S. and Mexico).
2. Determine if the chosen item supports or resists the goals of Nativism.
The policy, conducted in the U.S. in this period supported the goals of Nativism, as it was time of the start of a vast opposition to immigration, which was supported by many people, not only because of illegal way immigrants went to the country, but also due to their identity that could differ in religious, national, cultural way, In this case, the nation fears that immigrants will harm or warp already existing national cultural values.
3. Determine the specific definition of Nativism.
In this case, nativism may be specifically defined as the political position of advocating citizens of the U.S. in comparison with immigrants, which was aimed at deporting illegal immigrants and controlling the number of legal ones.
A. The Governmental distribution of resources to the privileged
Illegal immigrants have no access to resources and are deported immediately after being found out.
Legal immigrants (not U.S. citizens) have fewer privileges than U.S. citizens, but when being a legal immigrant-citizen have the same access to resources, privileges and opportunities as all the other citizens on the same level.
B. Should chosen group of people be protected from not chosen group?
It is a well-known fact, that some number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. is involved in drug trafficking, causing emergency and hazardous situations and so on. In such cases, it is necessary to protect U.S. citizens from violence, drugs etc., but not all of illegal immigrants, and no legal immigrants (hopefully) deal with such things. When not being criminals they are not dangerous for population. Even if they differ by their culture, race, religion.
4. Determine what aspect of Nativism is most apparent. & 5. Determine which, if any, tactics of implementation were used.
In order to cut the number of immigrants, the government issued several Acts on restriction of their number (legal ones) and created a number of Laws on deportation (for illegal ones). Work on looking for and deporting illegal immigrants is conducted every day. The land border (U.S. – Mexico) and water border (illegal immigrants from Cuba) is strictly protected. Although these actions are strict they are never violent and neither violate person`s human rights (apart from those during segregation period), nor damage their health.
6. Identify the impact the item had on the goals of Nativism.
The nativism (in the U.S. in the period of the 20th century) was important and justified as too big number of immigrants would result in:
Government expense exceeding.
Isolation of immigrants, without knowing the language.
Fewer workplaces available to native citizens.
Increased resource consumption; which would result in higher pollution level.
Overpopulation.
Housing costs increase.
Reference
Pula, J. S. (1980).American Immigration Policy and the Dillingham Commission. University of Illinois Press.
