Which term describes the belief that native-born Americans should hold political and social dominance and often fueled anti-immigrant sentiment in the late 19th century?

• A. Nativism
• B. Americanization
• C. Urbanization
• D. Racial segregation

Answer: (A)

Nativism describes the belief that native-born Americans should hold political and social dominance, and it often fueled anti-immigrant sentiment in the late 19th century. As waves of newcomers arrived from Europe and Asia, fears about job competition, cultural change, and political influence led native-born residents and some politicians to push for restrictions on immigration and policies that favored those already established. This mindset helped shape laws and public attitudes aimed at limiting newcomers. Americanization is about programs to assimilate immigrants into American culture, not about native-born dominance, so it doesn’t fit as well. Urbanization centers on the growth of cities and doesn’t address attitudes toward immigrants, and racial segregation involves separating people by race rather than the dominance of native-born citizens.