| Lecture 18: Transition to Democracy — Immigration and “American” Identity | |
| I. Race and immigration | |
| II. From environmentalism to essentialism — from the explanation of culture to the explanation of nature | |
| III. The rise and fall of mainstream nativist politics | |
| 1815-1855 | Irish Immigration to United States |
|---|---|
| 1815-1845 | 800,000 in 30 years |
| 1845 | Great Famine in Ireland |
| 1845-1855 | 1,800,000 in 10 years |
| 1860s-1870s | Magazine Imagery |
| 1867 | illustration |
| 1876 | cover, “The Ignorant Vote” |
| 1830s | Popularization of New “Sciences” |
| phrenology — study of bumps on head | |
| physiognomy — study of facial features | |
| craniology — study of skulls | |
| 1810-1866 | Rise of Essentialism |
| 1866 | physiognomy textbook |
| 1810 | monogenesis and environmentalism: Samuel Stanhope Smith, Essay on the Causes of the Varieties of Complexion and Figure in the Human Species |
| 1839 | polygenesis and essentialism: Samuel Morton, Crania Americana |
| Theories of Humanity | |
| 18th century theory monogenesis — one creation, one species with variation environmentalism — culture stronger than nature — people CAN change (becoming) | |
| 19th century theory polygenesis — multiple creations, separate “races” in hierarchy essentialism — nature is stronger than culture — people CANNOT change (being) | |
| 1843-1856 | Nativist Movement |
| 1843 | “American Republican Party” organizaed locally in New York City and Philadelphia |
| 1844 | Philadelphia riot (20 killed) |
| 1845 | “United Sons of America” in Philadelphia (local fraternal order) |
| 1845 | renamed to “Native American Party” extended nationally |
| 1849 | “Order of the Star-Spangled Banner” (national fraternal order) |
| 1853 | renamed to American Party (strongest in MA, NY, PA) |
| 1854 | satirized as “Know Nothing” Party |
| 1856 | “American Party” splintered over slavery |