Nativism
Definition
Nativism is a political policy favoring the interests of established inhabitants over those of immigrants.
Analogy
Think of nativism like a school's preference for legacy students - those whose parents or grandparents attended the same institution. Just as some schools might give an admissions advantage to legacies, nativist policies prioritize the needs and desires of long-established residents over newcomers.
Related terms
Know-Nothing Party: A political party active in the 1850s that was anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant. It was one of the earliest expressions of nativism in American politics.
Chinese Exclusion Act (1882): This law suspended Chinese immigration to America for ten years and marked one of the most significant restrictions on free immigration in US history, reflecting strong nativist sentiments.
Immigration Act of 1924: As mentioned earlier, this act limited immigration into the U.S., reflecting nativist attitudes prevalent during this time period.
"Nativism" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (2)
- What was the impact of WWI on immigration and nativism in America?
- Which policy demonstrates the continuing legacy of nativism in contemporary America?
Resources
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