In the 1920s, nativism in the United States had several significant effects, including:
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Immigration Restrictions: The 1920s saw the implementation of strict immigration laws, most notably the Immigration Act of 1924, which established quotas that severely limited immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as banning immigration from Asia altogether. This reflected a belief in the superiority of Northern European immigrants and a desire to preserve what was perceived as American cultural identity.
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Rise of the Ku Klux Klan: Nativism contributed to the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan, which targeted not only African Americans but also immigrants, Catholics, and Jews. The Klan promoted a nativist agenda that sought to maintain white Protestant supremacy.
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Xenophobia and Social Tension: There was an increase in xenophobia, as many native-born Americans viewed immigrants as a threat to jobs, values, and social stability. This led to social tensions and violence against immigrant communities.
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Cultural Backlash: Nativism fueled a cultural backlash against various immigrant groups, leading to debates over American values and identity, particularly as new cultural movements like jazz and modernism emerged, often associated with urban and immigrant communities.
These elements combined to shape a divisive atmosphere in American society during the 1920s, rooted in a fear of the foreign and the other.