Hello and welcome to a history of the United States.

Episode 185, immigrants, we get the job done.

Last time out, we looked at the beginnings of the Adams administration, as the United States

became embroiled in the quasi-war with France after the XYZ affair. This deepened the growing divide

between the Federalists and the Republicans,

with the Federalists suddenly becoming uneasy about the press and immigrants.

This marks an interesting twist on earlier history. At the start of the 1790s, the Federalists

were generally pro-immigration, while the Republicans were

more cautious. The difference stemmed primarily from different expectations of immigrant involvement

in American society. The Federalists viewed immigration through an economic lens, seeing them as new farmers and producers, without

really thinking too much about how they would impact the political nation. This makes sense,

given their aristocratic perspective. They thought that politics was for the country gentleman,

anyone else like women, non-landowners, enslaved people didn't

really fit into the picture. The immigrants were just another group like this. However,

the Republicans had a wider view of political participation. They wouldn't go as far as thinking

that women or enslaved people could be involved in politics,

but they did think that other white men should be a bit more homes-on, and they were concerned

that immigrants wouldn't be qualified for that involvement, and that their monarchical background

could hinder America's political development.

Over the course of the 1790s, the Federalists gradually became increasingly concerned about immigrants,

particularly from Ireland and France.

Citizenship originally required two years of residency for free whites in 1790. This was extended to

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