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Dr. Tyler Anbinder sits down with Eric and Rob to discuss teaching about immigration and nativism in U.S. history.  Dr. Anbinder is a professor of history at George Washington University and a specialist in nineteenth-century America and the history of immigration and ethnicity in American life.  He begins by emphasizing that immigrants throughout all of American history have shared very similar stories.  Some of the common elements to those stories include coming to the U.S. for economic reasons, being hard working and entrepreneurial people, tending to be young and energetic, and wanting to help others in their families and communities.   He notes that the recurring nativism faced by immigrants stems from the human tendency to distrust people who are different from them, and he explains that all groups except the English experienced nativist prejudice.  He discusses that while the first generation of immigrants never fully assimilate to their new culture, the second generation often seeks to fit in with the dominant culture and often rejects the traditions of the first generation.  He also points out that for most of American history there were no rules for coming to the United States.  Restrictions on immigration only emerged in the late 19th century when racial and ethnic bigotry led to exclusionary public policy.  He ends by stating that one of the great successes of the American experiment is that, for the most part, people have been able to overcome their fears and distrust of new immigrants and eventually incorporate them into the nation.  

Lesson Plans and resources:

The “Thomas Nast:  Pro or Anti-Immigrant” lesson can be found at https://bit.ly/4jd4Lpb

The “Immigration Template Lesson” can be found at https://bit.ly/4AU0ltE

Credits

Opening theme music, “Bossa Bossa,” created by Clare Howard www.clarehoward.com  Music supported by the National Council for History Education www.ncheteach.org

Transition theme music, “The Clock is Ticking,” created by Emily Hahn.

Logo artwork created by Jessica Goldman.

Shit I Have to Teach in 20 Minutes is produced by Eric Hahn and Rob Good.  Audio and video editing by Sebastian Rosales.

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