AI Overview
Historical examples of xenophobia in the United States include the nativist views expressed by Benjamin Franklin in the 1750s, the nationwide movement of the second Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s, the anti-Semitic and racist elements within the America First Committee in the 1940s, and the conspiracy theories of the John Birch Society in the mid-to-late 20th century.
Benjamin Franklin's Letter to Peter Collinson (1753)
Benjamin Franklin's correspondence, including his 1753 letter to Peter Collinson and his essay "Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind" (1751), contains expressions of anti-immigrant sentiment directed primarily at German immigrants in Pennsylvania.
Fear of cultural and linguistic replacement:
Franklin worried that the German newcomers, who were arriving in large numbers and often "herding together" in enclaves, would not assimilate into the English-speaking mainstream, thereby "Germanizing" the colony instead of the English "Anglifying" them.
Racial and social hierarchy: He used the term "Palatine boors" in a demeaning way and made racialized comments, questioning why Pennsylvania, a "colony of aliens," should be overrun by those of a different "complexion," suggesting a hierarchy of white European groups.
The Second Ku Klux Klan (1920s)
The second iteration of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was a powerful, nationwide organization that expanded far beyond the South, attracting millions of members by capitalizing on post-World War I nativism and a fear of "foreign" ideas and peoples.
Broadened targets: Unlike the first Klan which focused mainly on suppressing African Americans, the second Klan targeted a wider range of groups including immigrants, Catholics, Jews, and others perceived as "un-American".
Mainstream appeal: The KKK rebranded itself as a patriotic, civic organization, using mass advertising and social events to promote a vision of "true Americanism" based on white, Protestant supremacy and influencing national policies like the restrictive Immigration Act of 1924.
America First Committee (Pre-WWII)
The America First Committee (AFC), the largest isolationist organization in US history, was formed to oppose American entry into World War II.
Anti-Semitism and Nazi sympathy: While members had varied opinions, prominent leaders like Charles Lindbergh were known for their anti-Semitic views and Nazi sympathies, blaming Jewish people for trying to "drag us into war".
Racist undertones: The movement's rhetoric was often laced with racist messaging and utilized the "America First" slogan that had previously been used by the KKK to promote white nationalism and racial purity.
John Birch Society (Mid-to-Late 20th Century)
The John Birch Society (JBS), founded in 1958, was a far-right anti-communist group known for promoting conspiracy theories and an extreme form of conservatism.
Conspiracy theories: The JBS leadership, particularly founder Robert Welch, claimed that the U.S. government, including figures like President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Martin Luther King, Jr., had been infiltrated by communists in a vast conspiracy.
Opposition to Civil Rights: The Society was strongly opposed to the Civil Rights Movement, viewing it as a communist front. While the organization did not explicitly stand for white supremacy, its ideology and the actions of many of its local members fostered racial and anti-immigrant sentiment that became the ideological basis for later far-right movements.
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