Description
Book SynopsisThough debates over immigration have waxed and waned in the course of American history, the importance of immigrants to the nation''s identity is imparted in civics classes, political discourse, and television and film. We are told that the United States is a nation of immigrants, built by people who came from many lands to make an even better nation. But this belief was relatively new in the twentieth century, a period that saw the establishment of immigrant quotas that endured until the Immigrant and Nationality Act of 1965. What changed over the course of the century, according to historian Robert L. Fleegler, is the rise of contributionism, the belief that the newcomers from eastern and southern Europe contributed important cultural and economic benefits to American society.
Early twentieth-century immigrants from southern and eastern Europe often found themselves criticized for language and customs at odds with their new culture, but initially found greater acceptance thro
Trade Review
"A persuasive narrative, drawing on a wide range of sources to trace the emergence, fall, and revival of the contributionist idea. Ellis Island Nation is a valuable addition to the literature on immigration debates, ethnic diversity, and national identity in twentieth-century America." * American Historical Review *
"In clear, accessible language, [Fleegler] offers well-researched accounts of such topics as World War II rhetoric promoting cross-ethnic tolerance and Cold War era efforts to promote the commonalities of Judaism, Catholicism, and Protestantism." * Journal of American Culture *
"Mining a vast array of cultural and political sources, Robert Fleegler has given us a sophisticated and well-researched look at how Americans in the mid-twentieth century came to recognize the contributions of Ellis Island immigrants. In doing so, they expanded the ideal of American democracy and paved the way for a modern, multicultural America. With this book, Fleegler has made his own important contribution to the academic literature of ethnic and immigration studies." * Vincent J. Cannato, author of American Passage: The History of Ellis Island *
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1. The Beginning of the Era of Restriction
Chapter 2. Contributionism in the Prewar Period
Chapter 3. The Quest for Tolerance and Unity
Chapter 4. How Much Did the War Change America?
Chapter 5. The Reemergence of Contributionism
Chapter 6. The Cold War and Religious Unity
Chapter 7. The Triumph of Contributionism
Epilogue: "How great to be an American and something else as well"
Notes
Index
Acknowledgments
