Final answer:
Nativism during early 20th century America was marked by favoritism towards established 'native' groups over newer immigrants, leading to institutionalized discrimination, social tension, and violent acts against minorities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nativism is a sociopolitical stance that emerged in the United States at the turn of the 20th century, which favored individuals deemed as part of an established 'native' culture over new immigrants. This ideology led to widespread discrimination against those who were considered 'foreign,' particularly targeting non-Protestant, non-White individuals, and those from Southern and Central Europe, who were migrating in large numbers during this period.
Key examples of nativist sentiments during the Great Migration include:
- The resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), which sought to impose white Protestant supremacy.
- The spread of anti-Catholicism, targeting Irish and other Catholic immigrant groups.
- The enactment of the National Origins Act of 1924, which severely limited immigration from countries deemed 'non-white' or 'non-Protestant'.
- The perpetuation of Jim Crow segregation laws to maintain racial hierarchy.
- Acts of violence against African Americans, Jews, and Italians, reflecting entrenched racial biases.
- The inflection of scientific racism, including eugenics, to support theories of the inferiority of people of color.
The discriminatory practices of the era were institutionalized and perpetuated by various means, including legislation, social norms, and violent acts, all fueled by nativist philosophy.