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Question: U!.S!. Political Culture and Protestant v!. Anglo-Saxon!?
I came across the following passage in an old political science softcover book I am reading on my own entitled, "The Nature of American Politics" by H!.G!. Nicholas:
"The challenge of immigration proceeded not only from differences of race, language and previous political culture but also from differences in religion- historically of an even more divisive force!. The America of 1789 was even more Protestant than it was Anglo-Saxon, but after 200 years!.!.!.religious diversification has produced a society which is only 55% Protestant!.!.!.37% Catholic, 5% Jewish and 3% Orthodox!."
As one who is not very familiar with religion in general nor the differences between religions, why did the author make the distinction between Protestant and Anglo-Saxon!? Why is this significant and how would/did the differences effect American political culture!?
I know of the Protestant work ethic and when I hear Anglo-Saxon I think of Great Britain!. I don't know if this has anything to do with it!. TYWww@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
The author says that English immigrants, or children thereof, are no longer the only Protestants, but other sects from non-British settlers have also been established The first settlers were British Protestants, some Anglican, but many Baptists, Methodists and so=called evangelical Christians!. These first new religious settlers are often German Protestants (Lutheran), as well as Irish/Scot Presbyterians!. Although Northern Europe continued to supply the largest part of the new immigrants, Southern Europeans were also coming to the US, as well as Poles, Russians, Slavs, Irish, etc--the melting pot depicted in the Ellis Island photos and records!.These newer immigrants really expanded the religious mix, as the author states!.
The old Yankee and Southern planter aristocracy of the Founding Period had been displaced by the newer immigrants who had a much different religious and cultural background!. The country had become urban and industrial, and new immigrants had found their own political leaders, often in big city machines, chiefly Irish in the first wave!. Remember this was the great revolutionary change in Europe with new nations and new democratic governments struggling to establish themselves!. In this European turmoil, immigration to the US hugely expanded!.
After WW! there was a popular backlash against the size of the immigrant population due to a fear that their would be no common American culture, but a recreation of the older World's feuds and divisions!. Hence, immigration restrictions were put in place to restrict Asian, African, and Latin American immigrants!. Northern Europeans were to be preferred and given the bulk of the visas!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Many Huguenots came to the New World to seek the ability to practice their Protestant religion after suffering from prosecution in Catholic France!. also, many Germans came (think Amish and Mennonite as well as others) for the same reason!. Huguenots were still regarded with suspicion by the British (they were after all "French") and were often given land on the "frontier" which was about 50 miles inland at the time!. I researched relatives from the late 1600s who were Huguenots in Virginia!. Later waves of immigrants included Catholic Italians, Irish and Germans which increased the Catholic content of the US!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
"!.!.!.even more Protestant than Anglo-Saxon!.!.!."
Anglo-Saxon refers to the English, to the exclusion of the Scots, Netherlanders, or Scandinavian peoples, who tended to be Lutheran!. So we tend to think of the Colonies as "English," but there were other settlers, and they tended to be Protestant!. In Philadelphia, in recent years, I have come across a plaque commemorating "New Sweden!." Just because the British took over New Amsterdam in the 17th century, it doesn't mean that the Dutch evaporated!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
There were other important Protestant groups, besides the Anglo-Saxons!. One very large one was the Scotch-Irish, who, according to "Albion's Seed," were the main colonizers of the Southern backcountry areas!. They also were, from the 18th Century, numerous all over our country!.
Other Protestant groups included the Dutch of New York, the Swedes that colonized Delaware, The "Pennsylvania Dutch," the French Huguenots, the Welsh, the Swiss, and the Lowland Scots!.
The Scandinavians were almost always Protestant, but, aside from the Delaware Swedes, very few came over until the 19th Century!. The Germans were mixed, both Protestant and Catholic, while the Irish, the Italians the "Cajun" French, the Scottish Highlanders, the Czechs,
and the Polish were overwhelmingly Catholics!.
Priscilla Mullen was a Huguenot that came over on the Mayflower!.
Fourteen US Presidents were of Scotch-Irish descent!. They included Jefferson, Monroe, Jackson, the two Harrisons and others!.Www@QuestionHome@Com