What was the primary concern of nativist movements during the Gilded Age?

• A. Support for immigrants
• B. Opposition to immigration
• C. Promotion of multiculturalism
• D. Encouragement of economic integration

Answer: (B)

Nativist movements during the Gilded Age primarily focused on opposition to immigration. These movements arose due to various concerns, including fears that immigrants were taking jobs from native-born Americans, altering the cultural landscape, and supposedly bringing social problems such as crime and poverty. Nativists believed that immigrants, particularly from Southern and Eastern Europe, were unassimilable and would negatively impact American society. This led to calls for restrictive immigration policies and a push for preserving what they considered American values and identity. This opposition was evident in various actions taken during the period, including the establishment of groups that campaigned against immigration and the eventual passage of legislation that sought to limit immigrants from certain countries. The other options, such as support for immigrants or promotion of multiculturalism, directly contradict the motivations and actions of nativist groups during this era.