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American Immigrants In The Late 1800s

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From 1815 to 1850, five million Europeans immigrated to the United States, and three of those five million arrived within just a decade from 1845-1854. This was the largest immigration America had seen compared to its total population. Most of the immigrants were either Irish or German, but they all had one thing in common: they wanted better lives for their families. In their home countries, they often experienced religious persecution or had little economic opportunity. Many heard the exaggerated stories of the abundant American farmland and widespread freedom, making them more eager to settle there. However, once they arrived, they realized it was a totally different story. The journey itself was difficult, six weeks long in cramped cargo …show more content…

The influx of immigrants created fear of change and new competition among white Protestants, so secret societies in the form of political organizations and small parties were established. This fear was not only limited to immigrants though, because once the Manifest Destiny was in full force, it applied to all foreigners such as Native Americans and blacks along with any non-Protestants, Catholics in particular. White Protestants were not ready for and did not accept the change that immigrants brought. One example of a secret nativist society was the Order of the Star Spangled Banner in 1849, founded by Charles B. Allen. To join, a man had to be 21 years of age, a loyal Protestant, and an obedient member who would follow orders of the society without question. Members of the society were known as the Know Nothings because, if asked, they said they "knew nothing" about the secret society. Riots frequently popped up here and there, like in 1834 where a nativist mob burned down a Catholic convent, or in 1855 when at least 22 people were killed in attacks Catholic immigrants on election day. Or the “Bible Riots of Philadelphia in

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