A history of immigration in america

American Immigration

Opposition to immigration has existed in most states in the United States with immigration becoming an issue of concern. Several immigration policies have been put in place to avoid the arising of conflicts but the policies have failed. An exploration of immigration history in the United States reveals the true story behind the opposition and hostility that the immigrants sometimes receive. The nature of the opposition to the immigrants depends on a number of factors that affect the daily lives of the inhabitants.

For instance, the immigrants received opposition in the West due to the conflict over slave labor. From1846 to 1860, the immigrants were reportedly attracted by the discovery of gold in California, which also added to the re-jubilation among Americans. The discovery was a boost to the US economy even as it led to the swelling of the already high tide of westward migration (Work, n. d. p. 483).

Apparently there was stiff competition between the immigrants and inhabitants over the vast space of gold mines and the labor from refugees. The diverse inhabitants in the region fuelled the hostility as massive numbers of Latin Americans and immigrants from Europe settled in the region. The original inhabitants in the region were American Indians and Mexicans who were later joined by other people of different race, nationality, and class. The settlement of different people at the place resulted in opposition from within as some people received greater opportunities than others (Work, n. d. p. 484).

The opposition in the region of California is also said to be caused by difficulties in resolving questions that arose on the nation’s racial, economic, political order. Different racial groups had varying political and economic motives that led to the internal conflict. It is noted that immigrants such as Henry Bush did not leave their principles of abolition back East; thus, they conflicted with the inhabitants of the region. The difference in principles resulted in debates that were based on discussions to resolve issues such as free labor and slavery in the land. Every party held their opinion on who was fit enough for the state of California (Work, n. d. p. 484).

In the reconstruction of America, history has it that different parties were interested in ideas that were for their benefit without considering the rest of the people. The period was known for a lot of movement from North to South in America and a lot of conflicts among the whites and Black Americans. For instance, the conflict in the South is evident by the transformation that the South had after the Civil War. There was opposition to slavery in the South with war intensifying the conflict between social classes. There were different perceptions on the role of women, a factor which was later altered with the conflict. The change in labor roles of women and many other factors boosted the industrial revolution in the south, which is evident by the increased size of cities at the time (Work, n. d. p. 571).

During the Civil War, there was intense inflation that resulted in conflict as some workers were able to keep up while others could not. Those who had their labor in high demand could keep up with the high inflation levels while unskilled workers, more so women, were hit hard by inflation. Records have it that there were complains on the high inflation as people could barely sustain life for the prices offered. The conflict is an indication of opposition between different classes who witnessed changes in industrialization in America. It is even indicated that Northern workers made efforts to improve their plight to cope with the difficult conditions at the time. The opposition from unstable immigrants, therefore, resulted in dozens of strikes since workers formed unions that would fight for their rights and better pay. Other strikes were even reported to be staged by immigrant workers who thought it was not right for employers to hire African Americans for jobs from which they had been excluded (Work, n. d. p. 562).

In an attempt to reconstruct America, leaders noted that racial conflicts in the former confederacy were a major problem in the reunification process. The racial conflicts were also characterized by financial crisis that dashed hopes for a quick recovery of the poor economy. It was vital for both northern and southern political leaders to focus their efforts on revitalizing the economy by reconciling the ailing south and north regions. There was the need to highlight the fact that there was no benefit attached to the protection of racial advancement and immigration status since more conflict was bound to arise (Work, n. d. p. 590).

The attempts to reconstruct racial relations in the south clearly indicate the opposition that the immigrants received in the nation as a whole. Even after the awful ordeal of Civil war, leaders had to make extra efforts to reunite the people of different races; a sign of zero tolerance for one another in the country. The efforts of the leaders are evident today in America as the country is the world’s leading democracy, accepting immigrants who follow the appropriate procedure to get to America. Again, institutions such as Churches, schools, and other business are shared among people of different races.

The hostility that the immigrants have received in America could be because of the fear of destroyed inequality in the future. It is normal for every society to have people of different social classes, for example, the rich and the poor. While some leaders strive to end the gap that exists between the two parties, it is the pride of others to widen such gaps. Immigrants receive constant hostility due to the perception that they are meant to destroy the systems of institutions that exists in America. It is thought that immigrants are capable of causing severe conflicts in the country that would lead to a dexterous change of systems.

America being a democratic nation, notes that both the rich and the poor are equal and friends, and that both parties deserve proper education and good order in the country. It is the fear of conflict that would lead to the protection of everybody, through the military, that many inhabitants of America feared; hence the opposition to the immigrants (Morse, 1835, p. 331).

In every society, there is some level of mutual confidence that is expected from the two extremes of the society. The mutual confidence and interest are the forces meant to mould the society into existence. However, other factors that are out of human control and that are ever varying create unnecessary enmity and jealousy. Some inhabitants have the feeling that immigrants are not prescribed for other countries. Some people would even argue that the way is open for everybody in each country to rise to the same level of independence.

In a letter written by Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, There is emphasis on the need for freedom of care and labor to everybody for an easy life. Freedom of care and labor ought to apply to both the immigrants and inhabitants. The letter appreciates the British laws that have ensured order and freedom for everybody despite their background and history. The message is clearly brought out that it is the laws of a country that should determine how people act towards each other at any time (Franklin, 1753)