Final answer:
Race and racism significantly affected nativists' efforts to limit new immigration in the United States, as they sought to prevent the migration of nonwhite and non-Protestant immigrants from Central and Southern Europe. Nativist organizations advocated for literacy tests and restrictive laws based on racial and ethnic biases. These discriminatory policies hindered the acceptance of nonwhite immigrants and perpetuated racial division.
Step-by-step explanation:
Race and racism had a significant impact on nativists’ efforts to limit new immigration in the United States. Nativists aimed to prevent migration of nonwhites, non-Protestants, Jews, and other 'new' immigrants from Central and Southern Europe. They held prejudices against these groups and sought to restrict their entry into the country through organizations like the American Protective Association and the Immigration Restriction League. These groups lobbied for literacy tests and restrictive laws such as the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and the Immigration Act of 1924, which were influenced by discriminatory attitudes towards certain immigrant groups. Nativists employed racial and ethnic biases to shape immigration policies, hindering the acceptance of nonwhite immigrants and perpetuating racial division.