Which group did nativists specifically target as threats to "american culture"?
a. catholic and protestant immigrants
b. protestant and chinese immigrants
c. catholic and jewish immigrants
d. protestant and jewish immigrants

Correct answer choice is :

While there had been miniature associations of Catholics and Jews as the Colonial period, the large immigration of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries made a new entrance of Catholics and Jews to America. For the first time, Anglo-Protestant Americans were introduced to a new level of ethnic and religious difference and with it came to the difficulty to evaluate the true meaning of America’s dedication to religious liberty.

Answer

The correct answer is option C.

The Catholic and Jewish immigrant was considered to be the threat to American culture by nativists.  

Explanation

The communities of Jews and Catholics in the colonial period massively immigrated in America in the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century.  Their entry was seen as challenge to the “American culture” as the new communities brought with themselves the influx of religious and ethnic diversities in the land.  

Further Explanation

America is always seen as country of immigrants. It was not before 1820 that there were large waves of immigration of Jews or English. The massive influx of these communities was seen as challenge to the America culture and thus the Anglo-Protestant Americans protested them to bring new level of religious and ethnic diversity. This hence tested the commitment of America to endorse religious freedom in the society.  

The Protestant society on the other hand were vocal against the Catholics and called them “Papists”, indicating that they were inclined to pay their allegiance to Pope and not to American Flag. For others anti-Catholicism was a legacy of Protestant Reformation which was kept alive by the groups which was consistent to guard the interest the society from the influence of Romanism. For few others, being Protestant meant that they would resist the Catholic presence in nation, neighborhood and school. Thus the Protestant were always seen as challenge to the American culture

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Keywords

Threat to American culture, immigration in America, Nativist protest against immigration, threat to Protestants in America, influx of Jews and Catholics in America.