American History And Its Impact On Society - 3223 Words

America, as diverse a country as it is today, has surprisingly only been this way for the past few decades. Up until then, discrimination of other cultures and races was integrated and even embraced in society in many different ways – laws, unspoken social hierarchies, and even in the work force. With only the opinion and views of whites with American history set as the standard for society, life for those of differing races was extremely limited and miserable. The voices of underpowered cultures lay mute, having no presence in the identity of their country (other than being known as â€Å"bottom dwellers† and disgraces). Development of America would have been more one-sided, only benefitting those in the â€Å"non-immigrant white American†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦During these periods of resettlement, people came from all over the world: Europe (both the Eastern and Western parts), Mexico, and various Asian countries. Many of the people travelling to A merica did so for economic or political reasons, leaving behind their lives and the many things going on in it. Their cultural identities, however, were the main thing they held on to as they traversed into this completely new country of promised opportunities. These â€Å"cultural identities,† as some Americans feared, would completely ruin whom they were as people and turn their beloved land into a hodge-podge of colors and differences. The idea of shunning others for their nationalities is not foreign to America; in fact, it was a common practice that could be traced all the way back before the foundation of this country – to the Pilgrims and their arrival on Plymouth Colony. From the traitorous actions of the British Pilgrims on the already-civilized Native Indians to the enslavement and degradation of African Americans, America has been known for pushing any ethnic group different from those the original white settlers to the side and forcing them to assimilate to the established culture. To ease the worries of many anxious citizens, multiple acts were passed to restrict the amount of immigrants that could travel into the country. The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 was one of the main acts passed during the 20th century, with