Questions

1- Q- Who were the nativists? Why do you think they felt so strongly politically? If you were alive then, would you have supported them? Why or why not?

A- The nativists were Americans and others who opposed immigration. They felt so strongly politically because they didn’t want immigrants in the country, and because a flyer gave Americans this warning “Look at the... thieves and vagabonds [tramps] roaming our streets... monopolizing [taking] the business which properly belongs to our own native and true-born citizens”.  If I was alive then, I wouldn’t have supported them because they don’t want the immigrants to stay in the country, but, where else would they go for a good life? (Josh)

2- Q- What (ethnic) groups of people were trying to move to America? Describe all of the push-pull factors that led to their journey. If you were alive, do you think you would have migrated? Describe why or why not.

A- The Germans and Irish were trying to come to America. The Irish came due to the potato blight which was a disease that caused the rotting of potatoes. The Germans came due to religious persecution. If I were there, I would have migrated as well because I wouldn’t want to be persecuted because of my religion, and wouldn’t want to starve to death. (Sebastian)

3- Q- What was the goal of the Know-Nothing Party? Why did the Party try to limit the rights of immigrants? How might the rise of anti-immigrant groups lead to problems in the United States? If you were alive then, do you think you would have supported the Party? Why or why not?

A- The goal of the Know-Nothing Party was to keep Catholics and immigrants out of public office. The Party tried to limit the rights of immigrants by creating laws, such as requiring immigrants to live in the United States for 21 years before becoming citizens. The rise of anti-immigrant groups led to problems in the United States because the immigrants and the anti-immigrants were at battle. If I were alive then, I wouldn’t support the party because, again, they don’t want the immigrants to stay in the country, but, where else would they go for a good life? (Josh)

4- Q- How did the Industrial Revolution affect life in American cities? What was the new middle class like that the rise of industry created? Do you think there is a “middle class” in America today? Explain your reasoning.

A- The Industrial Revolution led to the creation of many new jobs in American cities. The new middle class was a social and economic level between the wealthy and the poor. I think that there is a middle class in America today because there is the rich, average, and poor. (Sebastian)

5- Q- What were tenements? Describe them. What problems affected American cities in the mid 1800’s? Do you think America still has these problems today? Explain why or why not.

A- Tenements were poorly designed apartment buildings that housed larger numbers of people. They were often dirty, overcrowded, and unsafe. The American cities faced many challenges due to rapid growth because public and private transportation was limited, and city residents had to live near their workplaces. Cities such as New York City lured thousands of people in search of jobs and a better life. (Sebastian)