AMH2097 Midterm
what was the Potato Famine?
"Gorta Mor" "The Great Hunger" -1 million Irish people died because the fail of the potato crop -the English did nothing about this because they believed the famine was an act of God to get rid of the "savage" people (major push factor to go to America)
What were the anti- irish stereotypes in regards to religion?
(The Irish are mostly Roman Catholic and brought Catholicism to America) -the WASPS thought that since the irish practiced transubstantiation (the body and blood of jesus is actually "formed" during the communion in the mass) that they were canibals, vampires, and baby eaters because the consumed "flesh and blood" -the WASPS also believed that the Pope and the Vatican were evil and possibly created the Potato famine
what is tenant farming in Ireland?
(share cropping) -the Irish would borrow land from the English to grow their food and then eventually pay the Irish back -in 1600 the Irish owned 80% of the land -in 1778 the English owned 95% of the land (the Irish are now forced to work on land that used to be theirs but was taken from them for no money)
What Amendment ended slavery? What Amendments gave citizenship to African American men?
- 13th Amendment (ended institutional slavery) - 14th amendment (Gave AA males the right to vote and be citizens) - 15th amendment (solely created to verify and justify 14th amendment) ("we will not restrict the right to vote based on class, skin color, or previous servitude")
Were all African Americans enslaved? How did freedom for African Americans come about?
- 2% of the African American population wasn't enslaved (free blacks) - mostly indentured servants in the north that finished their time as servants and passed their freedom down through their family generations -urban slaves that bought themselves out -slaves that were freed by their owner (either due to a relationship or at the owner's death) -escaped slaves -Emancipation- when a state frees all slaves
How many Southerners owned slaves?
- 25% of all southerners owned slaves - 25% of that 25% had more than 5 slaves
What are the waves of immigration and who came during those waves?
- Formative Wave: The English, colonilization wave (stay permanent, start new country) -it is primarily believed that there is no previous civilization in the new land you are colonizing to - First Wave: Africans, Germans, Chinese, Irish (English didn't consider themselves immigrants) - Second Wave: Italians, Greek, Polish, Czech, Russian, Jews, Japanese - Third Wave: Everybody (largest wave)
What are the factors leading to English immigration?
- Involuntary immigration: Convicts + kidnapped people (found in all of the colonies) Convicts: taken from jail in efforts to lower inmate rates (bc it costs too much money to keep jails open) + colonize new American land Kidnapped: looked for lonesome individuals, drunks, pregnant women -England was not ideal at this time with a huge lack of jobs (fathers would leave their families to go to America and work to send money to their families back in Europe)
What was the experience for Africans in the Middle Passage, especially through the clips from Amistad?
- Poor conditions, those who got sick or fought back were cast off the ship to prevent others from getting sick or rebelling -some would be thrown overboard because the ships did not have the means or space to provide for them even if they were perfectly healthy -"tight packing" of ships
How did the South backlash against African Americans after the Civil War?
- Sharecropping: whites offer to rent their land to the freedmen so that they can grow/sell crops and then pay the whites for the land (WASPS take 60% of profit/food, freedmen keep 40%)- this goes wrong when weather and insects kill the crops and the slaves become indebted to the WASPS for the crops and profit they aren't making (very similar to slavery) - Extra legal organizations are formed: KKK, Lynching - Poll tax: pay to vote -literacy test: prove you know how to read, write and understand the law before voting -grandfather claus: if your grandfather was able to vote in a certain year's election you are allowed to vote (not fair to slaves who had just gained the right to vote) - Jim crow laws/ black codes: segregation (separate but equal)
Who are the English? Are they a homogenous group?
- The English are WASPs (White Anglo Saxon Protestant), and yes they are homogenous -The English are Gentlemen -The English are "Formative Protestants" (Quakers, Pilgrims, Puritans) -homogenous- of the same kind, alike
How were the first slaves to America treated?
- When slaves first arrived to America they were treated as indentured servants because the WASPS didn't know any better, this meant they would be free in 7 years - People from the Caribbean then came to south Carolina in hopes of growing sugar and taught the WASPS about slave codes
what is bare knuckle boxing?
-highest paying job for the irish -reinforced the violent stereotype, but worth it to the irish because of how high paying it is -WASPS used to love to watch this because it was entertaining and played into the stereotype -African-Americans would also fight, but never the WASPS -brings "animal-like" stereotype -WASPS would bet against each other on the fights -best job for an anchor immigrant because boxers had managers that would feed, cloth, and house them leading to the boxers having the ability to send all money made home to Ireland (averaged $10 a week)
what was the Evangelist Movement?
-made to revive the Protestant religion and make sure everyone is a Protestant (even slaves) -"spreading God because it is good for us" -said that Protestantism is the only religion that matters -WASPS believed that immigrants were heathens (had no religion at all)
explain active resistance by slaves
-murdering their owner, setting the plantation on fire, rebellion against slavery as a whole -considered "selfish" because you are acting for yourself and not taking into consideration the others that will be affected for your actions (your family, other slaves in the area)
what are urban slaves?
-owned by businesses/companies -the businesses did not want to have to go through the burden of providing them with food and housing so they paid them to find it themselves -worked for import/export businesses -hired over immigrants because they were cheaper in the long run -many save the money they earn and buy themselves out of slavery when they are older
explain passive resistance by slaves
-resistance on the down low -most whites didn't even notice it was happening -a lot of tricking the WASPS in return for a lack of work or to simply laugh at them (most common form of resistance)
what are house slaves?
-serve the owner/manager on the plantation in the house or in their home in the city -owned by a wealthy slave owner -lighter skinned and considered better looking -cooks, butlers, and maids -personal slaves to each family member in the household -very assimilated and well behaved -sometimes participated in miscegenation (sexual intercourse between a white person and a black person) -would be abused by the slave owner's wife because of this -fed and dressed well so that they look presentable to guests -cannot form relationships with other blacks because they are so far away -cannot practice African culture -work 24/7 -got beaten more because they are constantly being watched
What was life like for a woman that worked in a brothel?
-she was chosen when she got off the boat to America for her beauty and WASP-like look by a madam -provided food, shelter, clothing, and good health -made on average $10/week but sometimes $50/week (best job for women to send money back home)
Why did the Irish leave their country?
-the English took over Ireland and took away all of their rights and property - The Potato Blight/ Famine
what was the Temperance Movement?
-the ban of alcohol -believed that before immigrants, Americans never drank alcohol -believed that alcohol lead to violence and sin -believed that whites were the only ones that could handle their liquor (not immigrants) -this is a huge problem for the Irish and then Germans because drinking alcohol is a part of their cultures
what were the anti irish stereotypes in regards to drunks?
-the irish were constantly perceived to be drunks in political cartoons and art -in ireland they would always bring their families to the pubs to socialize and practice their culture -in america, since there aren't any pubs- they do the same but in bars which seems outrageous to the WASPS and plays into the stereotype -WASPS said that the Irish were incapable of doing anything responsible or respectable because they were always drunk
How did the Irish work up the hierarchy in the United States?
1. Assimilation or naturalization 2. creating voting blocks 3. have children who acculturate and continue the culture (usually not the case- especially when children attended public schools) 4. Being compared to other immigrants (other immigrants were seen to be even worse than the Irish)
What were common jobs for Irish men?
1. Bare Knuckle Boxing (made about $10/week) 2. Day Laborer (day to day jobs that did not have set employees- the irish had to show up every day and hope that they would be chosen to work) 3. Miners (usually coal mines created with dynamite- very dangerous but high paying because of the danger) 4. Railroad Workers (worked on the Trans-Continental railroad linking the East and the West, very dangerous, many died) *Dangerous jobs put chain immigration at risk*
What were common jobs for Irish women?
1. Factory/Mill workers 2. Domestics (women that work inside a WASPS house- great for anchor immigrants because their housing, clothing, and food was provided for them so they could send their money to Ireland) (most common female job in NY and Boston) 3. Prostitution (highest paying job for immigrant women)
Why did the chinese come to the US?
1. The Gold Rush in San Francisco 2. Work in general (San Francisco is in need of cheap labor because there is barely any civilization and they want to build the area up)
Why did the Chinese leave their countries?
1. War and Rebellion (rebellion between local governments and the emperor) (wars between china and germany, china and japan) 2. Imperialism (the English invade Taishan and force them to assimilate to American culture, gaining access to the Chinese's silk, rice, tea, and opium) 3. Natural Disasters (floods, droughts, and tsunamis prevent farming ) 4. Overpopulation (due to the damage from the natural disasters, the government cannot support the amount of people in the area)
name three ways an african-american could be free
1. emancipation or manumission (owner or state freed them) 2. previous indentured servants or their children 3. child of a free black mother or a white mother 4. bought themselves out 5. ran away
what are the 6 steps of the process of immigration
1. the decision to leave or not to leave 2. go to the port city 3. work in the port city 4. leave to go to america (boat, airplane, etc.) 5. arrive to the new port city 6. assimilate or try to (or acculturate)
how many africans were involved in the middle passage?
12-15 million (not all survived the journey to america)
what percentage of white southerners owned slaves?
25%
what percentage of slaves in the atlantic slave trade were adult males?
75%
What was a street walker?
A woman who walked around with a "pimp" (for protection) trying to negotiate prostitution prices with men on the street
What are our first laws of citizenship/naturalization?
Article I, section 8 of USA constitution (naturalization act of 1790)- allowed all 13 colonies to have a say in congress' final decision of who becomes a citizen and what rights they have -it is decided that immigrants will be granted citizenship based on how well they assimilate (once immigrants feel that they have properly assimilated, they can then apply to become a citizen)
Why do immigrants come to America (pull factors)?
Freedom, abundance of jobs, quality of life, democracy, education, safety
The black codes and laws were named after this character
Jim Crowe
Why do immigrants leave their home country (push factors)?
Lack of jobs, religious persecution, lack of resources, lack of freedom, diseases/health, political turmoil, war
Exclude all immigrants except for those just like WASPS, based off of a religious government (no separation of church and state) (immigrants needed a letter of recommendation from their home church in order to be accepted into society) (if immigrants are very different they have a high chance of being deported)
Massachusetts model
Did the Chinese succeed in the Factors of Success that we have discussed this far set up by WASPs?
No they did not, the Chinese set up ethnic enclaves creating their own china town This is made up of typical Guangdong architecture, signs in Mandarin, all of the chinese together keeping their culture, and settlement by the water so that they can easily go back and forth between China and America (every 5 years for 30 years)
Did Europeans bring Slavery to West Africa?
No, the West Africans had slavery prior to the Europeans through their class system
what was the Irish mob?
Organized crime leads to the Irish forming the mob to help them get out of the ghetto and make a lot of money (especially during the temperance movement when they would sell alcohol to people illegally) -usually led to violence and would be on the media (plays into the violent stereotype)
made by quakers, supported pluralism (believed that it was good to have diversity)
Pennsylvania model
explain why this statement is false: advocates of pluralism believe that assimilation is the best way for immigrants to become Americans
Pluralism is the opposite of assimilation to one culture
How did the money made by anchor immigrants get back to Ireland?
Priests would go back and forth between Ireland and America to refresh their Irish culture -while going back and forth they would take the money and deliver it to the Irish villages
Explain why this statement is false: People who share the same ethnicity must be from the same country
That is actually nationality not ethnicity
How did the Irish resist assimilation culturally?
The Irish develop the institutional catholic church (basically a business) -the Papacy sends money for them to build churches and create social functions and other programs to bring the Irish together and help them -this brought them to continue embracing their own culture together in one place
what was Southie?
The Irish ethnic enclave in Boston, terrible conditions
What was 5 points?
The Irish ethnic enclave in New York - only place that the Irish were allowed to live because it was such a bad area with very poor living conditions
what were the anti- irish stereotypes in regards to violence?
The Irish gained this stereotype because when the English mistreated them they actually fought back
How did the Irish resist assimilation economically?
The Irish started to expand west where there were fewer WASPS -they declared free land within 4 stakes given to them by the Homestead Acts -this created civilization in the west that created towns and then later cities -led to industrialization and labor unions (brought the Irish better work conditions, wages, and hours) *all in all brought them more money to move up the hierarchy*
pro immigration for labor but no rights
Virginia model
what is the irish wage?
WASPS set this up by having the Irish and African Americans barter until there is the lowest bidder -ultimately the WASP wins because he is getting work done for very cheap
What is Imperialism?
When an external group takes over the province and forces the people to assimilate to their culture
how is nationality described?
Where you are from (can have more than 1 nationality)
Did the Irish succeed in the factors set up by WASPs?
Yes and No -The Irish become in debt, poor, and single -they don't assimilate at all and form their own neighborhoods instead
what is a "paddy-wagon"?
a pop up jail cell for irish people -paddy is short for patrick which is a common irish name but very much a stereotype
who would assimilate the quickest?
a young individual who immigrated from a country who's culture is very similar to America
How many Africans were involved in the slave trade?
about 50 million people in total were enslaved (about 12.5 million people actually made it to America according to official documents)
Practice assimilation in public, but practice home culture in private (Cultural pluralism = multi-cultural person) (what immigrants want)
acculturation
to teach your American born children your native culture
acculturation
what most immigrants do
acculturation
what was the Potato Blight?
all over europe potatoes were rotting in the ground
what is chain migration?
an entire village would save all of their money and give it to an anchor immigrant in their village so that he could travel to america and make money to send back to them so that more people in the village could go to america and make money to send back so that they could come to america
Who were the typical immigrants from the Ireland?
anchor immigrants: -young, healthy males -strong ability to work hard -english speaking -went to america to make money to send back to his village and send more people to america
The pre-conceived stereotype that Africans are not human (key term)
animality
Giving up entirety of past culture and fully adopting new culture (Anglo-conformity) (what WASPS want)
assimilation
the US goal for all immigrants
assimilation
what is naturalization about?
becoming a citizen after already being in america
what is the purpose of seasoning?
breaking the spirit/will of an African
How did the WASP keep their power?
changing what was considered "white" to keep the numbered majority in power
what is slavery based on in west africa?
class
the major change in africans and europeans between the 15th century and the 16th century
discovery of the new world
what is the type of slave that lives with a family that owns only 1 or 2 slaves?
family slave
the first wave of immigrants to north american that were different because they formed the civilization that would continue after- what was their era called?
formative
What are the factors of success for immigration according to WASPs?
fully capable to assimilate to american culture, spread out, have money, speak english
what factors go into the price of a slave
gender, age, skills, health, the market
who are the most successful in WASPS' eyes?
immigrants that came in small groups, had money, spread out, and assimilated into the american culture
What is the importance of "un-assimilate-able"?
immigrants try 100% to assimilate but white people wont let them due to stereotypes, skin color, culture, age, lack of education, and lack of money
which model says "all immigrants are welcome as long as they are just like us or promise to be just like us"?
massachusetts model
which slaves in west africa were enslaved for life?
murderers (prisoners of war could buy themselves out of slavery, murderers could not)
idea that you don't like someone due to their ethnicity
nativism
what was the most common form of slave resistance?
passive
which model values pluralism?
pennsylvania model
how is ethnicity described?
people who have something in common (culture, language, religion, foods)
what were ethnic enclaves?
places in a city that primarily had only one ethnic group -can be a good thing because the ethnic group is around their own people who share the same culture as them (they aren't forced to assimilate) -a bad thing to WASPS because the ethnic group is all in one area and therefore can gain power by numbers very easily (especially since they aren't assimilating)
What are Parochial Schools?
private, catholic schools for the Irish children to learn about their culture, catholicism, and giving back to the catholic church (a way for children to resist assimilating in public schools with WASP influence)
the factors that force you to leave your home country
push factors
Did Africans help the Europeans enslave?
si
the reaction by slaves to slavery can be described as...
slaves used their wits to avoid hard work and punishment as much as possible and created their own culture to help with the oppressive slave system
what was a bounty hunter?
someone that was sent to track down an immigrant who didn't pay his debt from eating on the ship to america
What are the three parts of the Triangle Trade? Who traded what, and where?
the Europeans traded finished goods to West Africa in exchange for slaves, they took the slaves through the Middle Passage (the route from Africa to the New World) to America, they then picked up raw materials and crops from America and brought them to Europe in exchange for finished goods that they could then trade again with West Africa
Who are the Immigrants of the First Wave?
the Irish, the Chinese, and the Germans
How are stereotypes of the Irish shown through political cartoons?
the WASPS make political cartoons of the Irish with dark, ape-like faces -associated with the Africans -saying that the Irish and Africans are equal
how is race described?
the assumption of differences based on real or imagined physical characteristics (-assuming someone is a specific race because of what they look like -people link exterior characteristics with internal character -created the system of dividing a population -racism is made up by the one real race (human) in order to divide)
racial/ethnic hierarchies usually place the "other" where?
the bottom
what was the problem with overpopulation in Ireland?
the government did not have the resources to support the 8 million people living there
What were the anti- irish stereotypes in regards to their race? (hint: the inferior race)
the idea that the irish are not the same as WASPS and lesser than (they cannot assimilate, they are only good for doing the jobs that no one wants to do)
What makes the process of assimilation quicker?
the immigrants are young, educated, and come from a similar culture compared to the US
What is the Great Migration and why is it important?
the relocation of more than 6 million African Americans from the rural South to the cities of the North, Midwest and West, had a huge impact on urban life in the United States
what are the "black irish"?
the stereotype created by the WASPS saying that the Irish are black on the inside ("wolves in sheep's clothing") -associating the Irish with the Africans in the eyes of the WASPS
which slave trade included mostly murderers and prisoners of war?
the trans-saharan trade (aka the african trade)
what actions have WASPS taken to contain their numerical majority?
they defined "white" differently and added specific ethnic groups to their WASP club
what was/is the largest wave?
third
what was "ship fever"?
tuberculosis that was caught on the ship going from europe to america (very contagious and deadly)
how were west african societies in the 15th century?
very similar to european societies in economics, politics, and social laws
which model says "all are welcome, but only the upper class can be citizens"?
virginia model
What are voting blocks?
when all of one culture vote the same way and become a majority The Irish discussed politics and their life styles in church and came together to form their own political leaders and vote for them (this gave them more political say and more power) Brings better jobs, pay, and rights Citizenship created voting blocks
what changed in the naturalization statutes between 1790-1902?
when someone can become a citizen
What is the key term that means the fear of someone who is different than you?
xenophobia
the fear of someone different from you (foreigners + "aliens")
xenophobia
Who were the typical immigrants from China?
young male (18-24 years old), knows some english, has a skill, and is single
Who was involved in the slave trade?
• The English people create a middle-man solution through the different West African Kingdoms • Slaving parties were created (kings and queens that live along the coast in different kingdoms tell the Europeans that they are allowed to come take Africans that live in their specific kingdom but are not actually apart of their kingdom- these are their enemies that force themselves in for jobs, resources, etc.) This helps protect the kingdoms by having the Europeans take their enemies away and then the kingdoms receive money for their enemies. • Every class was involved in the slave trade -upper class- owned the boats and started slave businesses -middle class- created jobs for the trade by being accountants, lawyers, and doctors for the process -lower class- worked on the ships (every nationality was also involved)
What are field slaves?
- slaves that work on the cash crops -all types of slaves -never saw their owner, their masters were their owner's sons, they saw the overseers (low class workers) and the drivers (privileged blacks) on a daily basis -lived in terrible conditions on plantations with 50+ slaves -work 12 hours a day
Who and when can someone become a citizen?
-"free, white people" -you must own property -even if you are born in a different country but both of your parents are American Citizens, you will still be granted citizenship -you must "declare allegiance" to the US stating that you are devoted to the country -you must participate in "good moral character" -you must assimilate for 5 years (this number changed many times but this is what we use today)
who is the "other"? why is the creation of it important?
-"other" is anyone that is different than the majority of society -the "other" creates a hierarchy providing a group of people to be at the bottom -the "other" are always used to do jobs and live roles in society that no one else wants to do
What are the differences between West Africa and Europe?
-Africans could move up and down through their class system, Europeans could not *Europeans looked at West Africa as a prosperous area with many valued goods that they wanted to trade*
What makes African immigration different than other immigration in this class?
-Africans immigrate against their own will in a violent manner (forced movement) -other immigration is mostly based on their own choice (except for those that were kidnapped)
What factors go into the price of a slave?
-Age (18-24 is the most expensive) -Gender (males are worth more at the beginning and then females at the end are worth more) -Health -Skill (musicians, builders/craftsmen, cooks, knowledge of medicine) - market (if market is scarce, price increases. If market is full, price decreases) -highest bidder received the slave
What made Europeans think they could enslave Africans? Stereotypes?
-Europeans see the West Africans working in hot climates so they decide to get them to come and do the work in the Caribbean -West Africans had the stereotype of being "black" (dirty, opposite to white, the devil), "savage" (uncivilized, without religion), "animality" (they were the missing link between monkeys and humans in the evolutionary theory, put on earth to serve us ) all based on archaeology, oral history, and books from outsiders for entertainment purposes.
what is the plantation system in Ireland?
-Ireland was seen to be perfect for large plantations by the English -the English took over all Irish lands and started to enclose it with fences -they used the land for sheep farming (wool was the main source for farming at the time) -these sheep farms did not require many workers which left the Irish without jobs
What does the United States do with these categories?
-The USA has socially constructed hierarchies that are all set up in our minds. The creation of the "Other" was to establish a dominant group and sub-dominant group in society (to maintain power) -the more different you are, the less amount of power you have (the language you speak, the way you look) -constantly changing over time due to skills and money
What type of discrimination did the Irish face?
-The WASPS would put up signs in their window saying "No Irish Need Apply" so that they could limit the success of the Irish -The WASPS made the Irish barter for the lowest wage against African Americans
What are the similarities between West Africa and Europe?
-West African Kingdoms were enormous and thoroughly civilized -they had 4 classes (upper, middle, lower, slave) -they were primarily monotheistic -they had a capitalistic economic system (private property, exchange of goods for money, court system, etc.)
What type of slave was involved in the slave trade?
-West Africans were the only slaves involved in the Atlantic Slave Trade -75% were male slaves because they were best for doing hands on farming -this turns when males start to fight back and become violent, expensive, and limited -women then become more popular later on when it is realized that they can bare children and therefore produce more slaves -valuable ages were 18-36 years old (the strongest and most energetic)
what were the conscription laws and the NY draft riots?
-When the Irish see that they are only being drafted to fight in the civil war with the poor and the african americans they start a riot and attack the African Americans -most WASPS aren't involved with the draft because they have the ability to buy themselves out -the riot goes on for 3 days until the WASPS stop it when the irish set an african american orphanage on fire (plays into the violent stereotype)
what was the Nativist Movement?
-a political party running on the concept of nativism -talked about limiting immigrants from coming to America -wrote huge writings about how wonderful it is to be white -believed that as more immigrants come in, America is becoming more "blackened" -worried for their children and the future -blamed disease, crime, prostitution, etc. on immigrants
what are tenements?
-apartment buildings in the ethnic enclaves that hold 5 apartments per building/tenement -only one bathroom per tenement and it is outside -20 Irish people would fit in 1 apartment that was 500 square feet -forced the Irish to sleep in shifts -many people lived in basements without windows and only used oil lamps for light (extremely dangerous) -80% of all infants died while living in tenements (proved how dangerous and unhealthy the living conditions were) -there wasn't enough oxygen and disease spread very quickly
what are the penal laws in Ireland?
-criminal laws that say what the Irish can and cannot do 1. the irish cannot own land 2. the irish cannot receive an education 3. the irish cannot practice Catholicism 4. the irish must speak English 5. the irish cannot vote (these laws were used to take away all power and culture from the irish in their own country- forced to assimilate to the english culture)
What are family slaves?
-exists all across America -one or two slaves working at a house to do servant work -WASP families have these slaves for help around the household and for status within the community -live in the house and talk to their owner on a daily basis creating relationships -most families cannot afford to give slaves separate accomodations -since the slave is living along side the WASP family, they are treated as actual human beings and many times become freed -they never see other blacks: they don't marry, form families, or develop their culture -natural assimilation into the white culture