Which immigrant group faced discrimination and violence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Italian immigrants faced significant discrimination and violence, making them a prominent example of a group that experienced these challenges during this period. As they arrived in large numbers to the United States, particularly in the 1880s and early 1900s, Italians were often viewed with suspicion and prejudice. Many Americans perceived them as culturally and socially inferior, which fueled a wave of xenophobia.

The stereotypes associated with Italians, such as depicting them as criminals or unskilled laborers, contributed to widespread discrimination in various aspects of life, including employment and housing. This hostility culminated in violent incidents, such as lynchings and riots targeting Italian communities. The most notable example was the 1891 lynching of eleven Italian immigrants in New Orleans, carried out by a mob in response to the murder of the city’s police chief, which was unjustly attributed to Italian-Americans.

While other immigrant groups also faced discrimination during this era, the intensity of violence and marginalization toward Italian immigrants during this time highlights their particular struggles in adapting to American society. They were frequently the subject of derogatory caricatures and negative media portrayals, which further entrenched the societal disdain directed at them.