Dbq Essay 1880s

The 1880s in the United States was a time where immigration patterns drastically changed. More foreigners were pouring into the nation at a more rapid rate than ever before. These immigrants were met with mixed bag of responses, from militant anti-immigrant groups to welfare groups that met immigrants with relatively open arms. The response of the American public and government to new immigrants is exemplified in the minimal government checking, the exploitation of new immigrants, and the social reform characteristic of the time period.

To commence, the United States government approached the influx of new immigrants by essentially ignoring the issues they faced. In The Census and Immigration, it was stated, “the law is evidently utterly helpless as it now stands in shutting out paupers, who are coming here in greatly increased numbers” (Source F). Although the American government was involved with checking new immigrant criminals, it got involved in little else. Overwhelmed city and state governments were able to do even less. Since the official government was not providing sufficient aid to new immigrants in the 1880s, the new immigrants were forced to seek for help from unofficial governments.

Not only is the response of the American public and government exemplified by the lack of government intervention, but also by public figures who exploited new immigrants.

Those who immigrated to the United States were primarily lower class Europeans, seeking stable employment and a livelihood for their family. This “scum of Europe” was “content to swarm in shanties like hogs, ... to suffer sore eyes and bodies rather than buy a towel and a washtub, to endure typhoid fever rather than undergo the expense of the most primitive sanitary device” (Source H). Profit-seekers used this influx of desperate immigrants for cheap labor and political favors. New immigrants faced a frosty greeting, with the majority of the country against them before they even stepped foot on American

soil.

Additionally, although many new immigrants were left to their own means, many social reformers stepped in to aid the plight of these new future Americans. These reformers did not agree with the nationalistic and xenophobic views of many Americans. These individuals held the view that “The slums of Europe are not sent here...In the stream undesirable are found but the percentage is low” (Source D). Many pastors preached the social gospel, and urged their flock to aid the less fortunate new immigrants. Settlement houses were established to help immigrants land on their feet. This paved the way for future social reform, and provided many new immigrants with a valuable commodity - hope.

In conclusion, the American public and government responded to the increase of immigration through minimal interference, exploitation, and public social reform. Anti-immigration and pro-immigration Americans to this day draw party lines based on this issue. Immigration patterns drastically changed in the United States in the 1800s.