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.
The main reason why nativists were hostile to immigrants can be attributed to their belief that immigrants were loyal to their home countries. However, it is important to note that there were other factors contributing to their hostility as well. Some nativists resented that labor unions were helping immigrants, as they believed that immigrants were taking away jobs from Americans. There were also concerns that immigrants were too Americanized and would weaken the cultural and societal foundation of the United States. Furthermore, some nativists feared that if immigrant populations declined, factories would close, leading to economic consequences.
The correct answer is C. Nativists were hostile to immigrants because they believed that immigrants were loyal to their home countries. To understand why nativists held this belief, we can examine the historical context.
Nativism refers to the belief that native-born citizens, or those with long-standing ancestry, should have priority and privileges over immigrants. During certain periods in history, particularly in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, nativist sentiments grew in response to large waves of immigration.
There were a few reasons why nativists held a hostile stance towards immigrants. One of the primary concerns was the belief that immigrants were loyal to their home countries, rather than fully embracing their new host nation. Nativists feared that these immigrants would maintain strong cultural ties to their countries of origin, potentially posing a threat to the established cultural and social fabric of the receiving society.
Furthermore, nativists often viewed immigrants as competition for jobs and economic resources. They believed that immigrants, who were often willing to work for lower wages and under harsh conditions, would undermine the labor market for native-born citizens. This fear was intensified in cases where labor unions actively supported immigrants, as it created resentment among nativists who saw their own interests being disregarded.
While options A and D may touch upon economic concerns, they do not directly address the nativists' belief in immigrants' loyalty to their home countries. Option B, which suggests concern about immigrants being too Americanized, does not align with the nativists' sentiment that immigrants were too loyal to their own cultures.
In summary, nativists were hostile to immigrants because they believed that immigrants were primarily loyal to their home countries, which threatened the cultural and social unity of the receiving society.