Question

Which of the following was NOT a reason for creating the Anti-Immigration laws that were passed in the late 1800s?

Option A: Immigrants were willing to work for less pay, therefore they threatened the jobs of American citizens.
Option B: Some immigrants were sick when they came to America, which would require public care.
Option C: The U.S. was overpopulated, and there was not enough room for incoming immigrants.
Option D: Some immigrants entering the U.S. were convicted criminals, which posed a threat to the safety of American citizens.

Answer 1

Option C, the idea that the U.S. was overpopulated, was NOT a reason for the Anti-Immigration laws of the late 1800s. Economic and cultural concerns, job competition, and the fear of criminals were the main reasons behind such legislations. option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Anti-Immigration laws enacted in the late 1800s were influenced by a variety of factors. Most of these reasons were rooted in economic concerns, cultural fears, and prejudicial attitudes towards new immigrant groups.

Option A, the willingness of immigrants to work for less pay, thus threatening the jobs of American citizens, and Option D, the fear of convicted criminals entering the U.S., were genuine concerns that led to the creation of these laws. Option B about immigrants requiring public care due to sickness was also a reason for restrictive laws.

However, Option C is not accurate; while there were many concerns related to immigration, overpopulation of the U.S. was not considered a significant issue during this period.

Economic concerns, such as job competition and wage effects, drove much of the anti-immigration sentiment, along with cultural fears regarding differences in language and customs, prompting nativist organizations like the American Protective Association and the Immigration Restriction League to campaign for restrictive legislations.

So option c is correct answer.