Final answer:
Nativism is a belief or policy favoring native-born individuals over immigrants. It was prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the US. Prejudice associated with nativism can be attributed to fear, economic competition, and a desire for cultural and racial homogeneity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nativism is a belief or policy that favors the interests of native-born individuals over the interests of immigrants. In the United States, nativism was particularly prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when many Americans became suspicious of immigrants, especially those who were nonwhite, non-Protestant, or from Central and Southern Europe.
Prejudice can be attributed to several factors, such as fear of the unknown, economic competition, and a desire to maintain cultural and racial homogeneity. Historically, nativists aimed to prevent the migration of certain groups by advocating for restrictive immigration policies and perpetuating stereotypes and discriminatory practices against newcomers.
Overall, nativism is a complex phenomenon that arises from a combination of economic, cultural, and racial factors, highlighting the tensions that can arise in diverse societies.