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British and American Culture - Summary - Part 1
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- Universiteit Antwerpen (UA)
1034FLWTTA British and American Culture British Culture
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History and Culture of the USA:Class 2
Four waves of immigration
1. 1680-1776 (colonial European immigrants)
2. 1820-1890 (“old” European immigrants)
3. 1890-1930 (“new” European immigrants)
4. 1965-present (Present Latino & Asian immigrants)
First wave: colonial immigration (1680-1776)
Founders' Goals:
The colonial immigration during this period was primarily driven by economic
opportunities and religious freedom.
Many settlers came to the colonies seeking economic prosperity and the
ability to practice their religion freely.
Diverse Population:
French settler J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur famously described the
American colonists as "a new race of man," reflecting the diverse mix of
people from various European backgrounds who settled in the colonies
during this time.
Slavery:
The transatlantic slave trade played a significant role in shaping the
demographic landscape of the American colonies during this period.
An estimated 140,000 African slaves were forcibly brought to the colonies to
work primarily on plantations.
Largest Group:
While English settlers were still the dominant group in the colonies, there
was a significant increase in immigrants from other European countries, such
as Germany, Scotland, and Ireland, during this period.
Decrease in English Dominance:
The influx of immigrants from various European countries led to a decrease
in the dominance of English culture and influence in the colonies.
This contributed to the development of a more diverse and multicultural
society.
"A Nation of Nations":
This phrase, attributed to Thomas Paine, reflects the idea that the United
States was built by immigrants from various parts of the world and is
characterized by its diversity.
African American Population:
Despite the large number of immigrants from Europe, African slaves
constituted a significant portion of the colonial population, making up
around 20% of the total population by the time of the American Revolution.
, Second wave: “old” immigrants (1820-1890)
Reasons for Immigration:
Europeans fled to the United States during this period for various
reasons, including political instability and oppression, religious
persecution, and economic hardships.
Many sought refuge and better opportunities in the United States,
where they believed they could find freedom and prosperity.
Stage Migration:
This period witnessed a massive influx of immigrants to the United
States, totaling approximately 15.5 million people.
These immigrants came primarily from countries in Europe, such as
Ireland, Scotland, Germany and Italy.
Homestead Act of 1862:
Enacted during this period, the Homestead Act provided opportunities
for settlers to acquire land in the American West, further incentivizing
immigration.
It offered 160 acres of public land to settlers who lived on and
improved the land for a period of five years.
Nativism and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment:
The influx of immigrants during this period led to heightened nativist
sentiments among certain segments of the American population.
Nativists feared that immigrants would take away jobs from native-
born Americans and dilute the country's cultural identity.
Anti-immigrant sentiment often targeted specific immigrant groups,
such as the Irish and Germans, as well as Jews.
Know Nothing Party (American Party):
The Know Nothing Party, also known as the American Party, emerged
in the 1850s as a political movement fueled by anti-immigrant and
anti-Catholic sentiments.
Members of this party sought to restrict immigration and
naturalization, advocating for policies that favored native-born
Americans.
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882:
In response to growing anti-Chinese sentiment and competition for
jobs on the West Coast, the U.S. government passed the Chinese
Exclusion Act in 1882.
This legislation severely restricted Chinese immigration to the United
States and marked the first time the federal government enacted laws
to specifically target and limit immigration based on nationality.
, Third wave: “new” immigrants (1890-1930)
Demographic Shift:
Unlike the previous wave, which primarily consisted of immigrants from
Western Europe, the third wave saw an influx of people from Slavic, Asian,
and Eastern European countries. Approximately 15.5 million immigrants
arrived in the United States during this 24-year period.
Urbanization and Ethnic Enclaves:
Many new immigrants settled in larger urban areas, forming ethnic enclaves
within cities. These concentrated immigrant neighborhoods often sparked
concerns among native-born Americans, leading to calls for reform and
assimilation efforts.
The Melting Pot:
The concept of the "melting pot," popularized by the play of the same name
by Israel Zangwill in 1908, promoted the idea that immigrants from diverse
backgrounds would assimilate into American culture, forming a unified
society.
Fear of "Mongrelization" vs. Cultural Pluralism:
There was a tension between those who feared the dilution of American
culture through the mixing of different ethnicities ("mongrelization") and
those who advocated for cultural pluralism, celebrating the diversity of
immigrant cultures within American society.
E Pluribus Unum and the Naturalization Act:
The Latin phrase "E Pluribus Unum," meaning "out of many, one," reflects
the idea of unity in diversity.
However, immigration laws such as the Naturalization Act of 1906
established requirements and restrictions for citizenship, privileging certain
groups over others.
Ellis Island and Government Control:
Ellis Island, opened in 1892, became a major immigration processing center
in New York Harbor. It symbolized the government's increasing control over
immigration waves, as officials screened and regulated the flow of
newcomers.
Eugenics:
The early 20th century saw the rise of eugenics, a pseudoscientific
movement that promoted the selective breeding of humans to improve the
genetic quality of the population.
Eugenics theories influenced immigration policies and contributed to
discriminatory practices against certain immigrant groups.
Asian Exclusion Act of 1924:
The Immigration Act of 1924, also known as the Asian Exclusion Act,
established quotas based on nationality, effectively restricting immigration
from Asia.
, This legislation reflected xenophobic sentiments and sought to preserve the
perceived racial and cultural homogeneity of the United States.
Fourth wave: 1965 to the present:
Late 1990s:
Immigration continued to be a significant aspect of American society,
with the late 1990s witnessing both legal and illegal immigration.
During this time, there was an estimated surge in the number of illegal
immigrants.
Illegal Immigration:
By 2010, the estimated number of illegal immigrants in the United
States had reached 10.8 million. This issue became a focal point of
political debate and policy discussions.
Shift in Immigration Policies:
Immigration policies began to favor highly skilled workers,
professionals, and entrepreneurs with capital.
This shift reflected efforts to attract individuals who could contribute
to the economy and fill specific labor needs.
Immigration Trends in 2018:
In 2018, there were notable changes in immigration trends, possibly
influenced by political factors, often referred to as the "Trump effect."
The number of immigrants entering the country reportedly declined
by approximately 70% compared to the previous year.
Foreign-Born Population:
Despite fluctuations in immigration rates, the United States continued
to be home to a large foreign-born population.
In 2018, there were an estimated 45 million foreign-born people living
in the country.
Immigrants' Share of Total Population:
Immigrants and their descendants constituted a significant portion of
the total population, accounting for approximately 13.7% of the
overall population in 2018.
Hispanic Immigration:
The Hispanic population has been a prominent demographic group
within the broader context of immigration to the United States.
The term "Hispanics" refers to people with origins in Spanish-speaking
countries, primarily from Latin America.
This group has contributed significantly to the cultural, social, and
economic fabric of the country.
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