Makes a formidable contribution to U.S. immigration history by addressing historical and contemporary debates about national identity and the place of immigrants within American society.--Brian Gratton; Arizona State University"Deepens and clarifies our understanding of this understudied but very important social movement by comparing and contrasting those Americanization efforts aimed at protecting immigrants with those more coercive educational programs which we have previously thought to encompass the entire movement."--John F. McClymer; Assumption CollegeIn the first decades of the twentieth century; a number of states had bureaus whose responsibility was to help immigrants assimilate into American society. Often described negatively as efforts to force foreigners into appropriate molds; Christina Ziegler-McPherson demonstrates that these programs--including adult education; environmental improvement; labor market regulations; and conflict resolutions--were typically implemented by groups sympathetic to immigrants and their cultures.Americanization in the States offers a comparative history of social welfare policies developed in four distinct regions with diverse immigrant populations: New York; California; Massachusetts; and Illinois. By focusing on state actions versus national agencies and organizations; and by examining rural and western approaches in addition to urban and eastern ones; Ziegler-McPherson broadens the historical literature associated with Americanization.She also reveals how these programs; and the theories of citizenship and national identity used to justify their underlying policies; were really attempts by middle-class progressives to get new citizens to adopt Anglo-American; middle-class values and lifestyles. Christina A. Ziegler-McPherson is a public historian who lives in New Jersey.
#777189 in Books WaterBrook Press 2015-10-13 2015-10-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .90 x 5.70l; .55 #File Name: 0812997905288 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. An important message about politics for churched and unchurched AmericansBy John BoltonJohn Danforth is old school Republican and old school but tolerant Episcopal priest. While he addresses the "religious"; his message can be heard by the unchurched; "humanists"; non-believers and atheists. He isn't telling us much we don't know when he talks about governmental dysfunction. His experience in the Senate makes his view unique and important. While he does not mention the antebellum Congresses of the 1850s directly he sees us devolving into that era's uncompromising march to division and war; nor does he dwell on 1930's Germany's rush to extremes (communism and nationalism) and the loss of the middle ground. He sees politicians polarizing to "the base" with their single focus of being reelected; "the base" leads; the politicians follow; instead of the leaders leading and listening and able to compromise for the greatest good. Our politics have become "all or nothing". Danforth believes country was founded on the Constitution; a document that was skeptical of political power; and relied on the Christian virtue of the populace -- evangelical Christianity and Enlightenment Christianity (including deism) being dominating influences during the Revolutionary period. Our response as Christians; or simply "the people" to include those that are no-Christians/non-believers; should be to hold our politicians to task; to hold them accountable for their divisive rhetoric. It is up to us "the people" to be virtuous as individuals; to participate in community. This is an important book as we head into the 2016 election. It should be read and discussed by people serious about the direction of our Republic.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This book reminds me of how much we miss such ...By J. TalmageThis book reminds me of how much we miss such legislators as John Danforth. He addresses the real problem we have in our country--the divisiveness and uncivil conflict. He also demonstrates the real secular meaning and relevance of Christianity; although it can be equally true of other religions. As both a sociologist and a minister who has been politically active for my adult life; I am deeply appreciative of Danforth's work in general; and this work in particular.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A good book makes you think and this is a good ...By CustomerA good book makes you think and this is a good book. It is an excellent antidote to the reflexive fundamentalist dogma that is so common in political discourse around religious and cultural issues today. The basic thesis of this book is that religion; at is core; is about belief in something beyond self; and therefore should focus on the common good. And political philosophies that focus on the self and lose contact with the common good are fundamentally antireligious. He calls to account much of the libertarian rhetoric in the public square as being at odds with religion. This book is a must read for people who think critically about religion and politics.
