Question

question 8 of 10

nativists opposed the arrival of many new immigrants in america mainly because they saw new immigrants as a threat to:

a. progressive reform movements.
b. industrialization and urbanization.
c. unions and the labor movement.
d. american culture and values.

Explanation:

Define nativism and its core concerns

Using the Nativism knowledge point

Nativism is a political policy or social attitude that promotes the interests of native-born or established inhabitants over those of immigrants. Historically in the United States, nativists feared that the influx of new immigrants—who often had different languages, religions (such as Catholicism or Judaism), and customs—would dilute, disrupt, or destroy traditional American culture, language, and democratic values.

Evaluate the given options

• A. Progressive reform movements: Nativism was not primarily concerned with protecting progressive reforms; in fact, some progressives held nativist views, while others worked to aid immigrants.
• B. industrialization and urbanization: Immigrants actually fueled industrialization and urbanization by providing a massive labor force. Nativists did not oppose immigration to protect these economic processes.
• C. unions and the labor movement: While some native-born labor union members feared job competition, the broader ideology of nativism as a social movement was rooted in cultural preservation rather than protecting organized labor.
• D. American culture and values: This directly aligns with the core definition of nativism. Nativists believed that foreign-born individuals could not fully assimilate and posed a direct threat to established American cultural norms, religious traditions, and political institutions.

Answer:

• (A) Progressive reform movements.
• (B) industrialization and urbanization.
• (C) unions and the labor movement.
• (D) American culture and values. (Correct answer)