4.16: A New Century Unit Test

What was the goal of many nativists with respect to immigration?

a. They felt there should be a large entry tax for immigrants.

b. They believed that immigrants should pass citizenship requirements before entering the United States.

c. They wanted immigrants barred from the United States.

c. They wanted immigrants barred from the United States.

Explanation:

Nativism refers to a political position that privileges the welfare and the interests of the people who have been born in certain place (the natives) over immigrants. As more and more immigrants moved to the United States in the late 19th century, the nativist movement gained strength, and they wanted immigrants barred from the United States, especially those coming from China, Italy, and Eastern Europe. The nativists scored some successes, especially with the passing of the Emergency Quota Act of 1921, which placed restrictions on how many immigrants could enter the United States. This Act was further expanded by the Immigration Act of 1924, which banned immigrants from Asia and set strict limits on immigrants from other parts of the world, especially Eastern Europe. This discriminatory policy stayed in force until the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.