What are some of the causes of nativism?

Causes of the Nativism

1. Cultural/Racial - Fear and Anxiety about differences: racial, cultural, religious and linguistic differences. Nativists view immigrants as fundamentally different and dangerous to American norm, believe immigrants can cause fragmentation in the society and fear of non-white majority.

2. Economic - Economic Change: Immigrants are the reason for the loss of status or security of American workers, usually due to some large structural change in the economy. Immigrants offer cheaper labor with more working hours and no benefits.

3. Political/Ideological - Xenophobia (fear of foreigner) or scapegoating of immigrants as a reaction against US global involvements or domestic civil unrest. Fears that foreigners will undermine American Democracy (papism, monarchism, fundamentalism) or fear of violence (terrorism, activism).