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Introduction to a New America. Before we start: terms. Religion vs. denomination Major world religions Civic vs. theological Branches of Christianity Orthodox Catholic Protestant. Major immigration laws. Naturalization Act of 1790 Only “free white persons” could become citizens
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Before we start: terms • Religion vs. denomination • Major world religions • Civic vs. theological • Branches of Christianity • Orthodox • Catholic • Protestant
Major immigration laws • Naturalization Act of 1790 • Only “free white persons” could become citizens • Modified to include those of African descent or birth after the Civil War • Immigration from Europe relatively easy • Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) • Repealed 1943 • Immigration Act of 1924 • quotas for new immigrants set in proportion (2%) to ethnic makeup of 1890 American population • Upshot: restricted southern and eastern European immigration; excluded Asians • Hart-Celler Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965 • Abolished country-of-origin quotas; favored family reunification • First restrictions imposed on Mexican immigration
Major changes in religious diversity • Native Americans: pluralistic • Anglo-Americans • Varieties of Protestant • Waves of Catholic immigration • Prior to 1845, most Catholics in America were of English descent • 1840s: Large wave of Irish immigration begins • 1850: 5% of US population is Catholic • 1890-1920: large numbers of Italian and eastern European immigrants • 1906: 17% of population is Catholic, the largest single religious group • Biggest change: 1965 Immigration Act
Statistics • Immigration Quotas 1925-27 • Immigration Statistics 1920-26
For Monday • What are some of the basic characteristics of American religion, especially American Christianity? • Think about your own experience: how does it support or diverge from the claims of the article: about community, individual belief, etc?