Glossary of Terms and Policies/Laws Terms Acculturation : Adapting to a new culture while retaining original elements. Cultural Pluralism : Valuing diverse cultural identities within a society. Discrimination : Unfair treatment based on race, religion, or ethnicity (e.g., “No Irish Need Apply”). Enclave : Neighborhoods like Little Italy where immigrants preserve traditions. Famine : Severe food shortage causing hunger, like the Irish Potato Famine (1845–1852). Immigration : Moving permanently to a new country, often to the U.S. in the 19th century. Industrialization : Growth in manufacturing creating urban job opportunities. Nativism : Favoring native-born inhabitants over immigrants, opposing Irish Catholics. Pull Factors : Conditions attracting immigrants, like jobs or freedom. Push Factors : Conditions driving emigration, like famine or persecution. Revolution of 1848 : European uprisings for democratic reforms, prompting German emigration. Policies and Laws 1917 Immigration Law : Restricted illiterate immigrants from entering the U.S. American Protective Association (1887) : Anti-immigrant group opposing non-Protestants. Angel Island (1910) : West Coast station discouraging Asian immigration with long wait times. Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) : Barred Chinese laborers; the first ethnicity-based restriction. Ellis Island (1892) : East Coast center processing millions of European immigrants. Great Potato Famine (1845–1852) : Irish starvation driving 1.5 million to emigrate. Homestead Act (1862) : Offered free land to settlers, including immigrants, for farming. Indian Removal Act (1830) : Relocated Native tribes, leading to the Trail of Tears. Know-Nothing Party (1855) : Opposed immigration, especially Catholics. Statue of Liberty (1886) : Symbol of hope, inscribed with “Give me your tired, your poor…” Trail of Tears (1838–1839) : Forced Cherokee migration; 4,000 died from harsh conditions. Voting Eligibility for Immigrants : Allowed voting after five years, seen as a Nativist threat. Worcester v. Georgia (1832) : Upheld Cherokee land rights; ignored by President Jackson.
