Why were nativists hostile to immigrants?
A. They resented that labor unions were helping immigrants
B. They were concerned that immigrants were too Americanized
C. They believed that immigrants were loyal to their home countries
D. They feared factories would close if immigrant populations declined
C. They believed that immigrants were loyal to their home countries
C. They believed that immigrants were loyal to their home countries.
The main reason why nativists were hostile towards immigrants was because they believed that immigrants were more loyal to their home countries than to the United States. Nativists were worried that immigrants would bring their own cultural and political beliefs and would not assimilate into American society. They feared that this would undermine the stability and unity of the country. Additionally, nativists were concerned that immigrants would take jobs away from native-born Americans and lower wages.
The correct answer is C. Nativists were hostile to immigrants because they believed that immigrants were loyal to their home countries.
To arrive at this answer, one should consider the historical context and perspectives of nativists during the period in question. Nativism refers to a policy or belief that favors the interests of native-born or established inhabitants over those of immigrants. During various waves of immigration in the United States, nativists expressed hostility towards immigrants for various reasons.
Option A, "They resented that labor unions were helping immigrants," is not the correct answer because it does not accurately represent the main driving force behind nativist hostility towards immigrants. While some nativists may have opposed labor unions supporting immigrants, it was not the primary reason for their hostility.
Option B, "They were concerned that immigrants were too Americanized," is also not the correct answer. Nativists were typically concerned about the opposite – they believed that immigrants were not assimilating into American society quickly enough and were maintaining strong ties to their home countries.
Option D, "They feared factories would close if immigrant populations declined," is also not the correct answer. Although nativists may have had concerns about the impact of immigrants on the economy, their main motivation was rooted in cultural and nationalistic fears rather than economic concerns.
Therefore, the correct answer is C, "They believed that immigrants were loyal to their home countries." This viewpoint reflects the nativists' perception that immigrants would prioritize the interests and allegiances of their home countries over assimilation into American society.