The Panic of 1873 triggered a depression in Europe and North America that lasted until 1879. This economic turmoil gave rise to anti-immigration sentiments. Meanwhile the rise in socialist and anarchist groups grew, causing nativists to fear radicalism among the lower classes. Nativists attributed this radicalism to the influx of foreigners, especially those from Southern and Eastern Europe. One group that was especially suspect, were the Italians. In fact, in the late 19th century, racialist theories began circulating alleging that "Mediterranean" types were inherently inferior to people of Northern European heritage. Furthermore, anti-immigration societies sprang up around the country, and the Klu Klux Klan saw a spike in membership. Catholic churches were burned, Italians were attacked by mobs and some were even lynched. The 1891 cartoon shown here blames all of the problems on lack of immigration laws: “If immigration was properly restricted, you would never be troubled with anarchism, socialism, the Mafia and such kindred evils!”
Benjamin Harrison, echoed these words in his first annual address (1889) to congress. He requested that congress revise our naturalization laws so that "avowed enemies of social order" would be denied a home in the United States of America.
"Our naturalization laws should be so revised as to make the inquiry into the moral character and good disposition toward our Government of the persons applying for citizenship more thorough. This can only be done by taking fuller control of the examination, by fixing the times for hearing such applications, and by requiring the presence of some one who shall represent the Government in the inquiry. Those who are the avowed enemies of social order or who come to our shores to swell the injurious influence and to extend the evil practices of any association that defies our laws should not only be denied citizenship, but a domicile."
In 1890, congress did pass a new tightened immigration statute that restricted the immigration of many groups, yet failed to exclude anarchists on an ideological basis.
References
Presidency.ucsb.edu. (2018). Benjamin Harrison: First Annual Message. [online] Available at: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29530 [Accessed 12 Feb. 2018].
http://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3g00000/3g05000/3g05700/3g05739v.jpg
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