Question

How did the idea of assimilation spur on a debate among the Issei over the education of the Nisei?

A) Debate over traditional education versus modern Western education.
B) Debate over preserving cultural heritage versus embracing Americanization.
C) Debate over religious education versus secular education.
D) Debate over vocational training versus academic education.

Answer 1

The debate on assimilation among the Issei focused on preserving Japanese cultural heritage versus embracing Americanization, reflecting broader national tensions over educational practices for various minority groups.

Step-by-step explanation:

The idea of assimilation spurred a debate among the Issei over the education of the Nisei, which is best characterized by B) Debate over preserving cultural heritage versus embracing Americanization. This debate emerged from a desire to maintain Japanese cultural practices and language in the face of pressure to conform to American ways of life, especially after events that heightened racial tensions, such as the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and its aftermath of segregation. Assimilation efforts were applied to numerous groups throughout American history, as seen with Native American boarding schools, and African American education post-slavery, where the focus was sometimes on vocational versus classical education. The various experiences of immigrants and minorities show not only the tension between assimilation and preserving cultural identity but also the complexities of education in a racially and culturally diverse society.