How did the USA manage to integrate the different cultures of the different immigrants who came to the USA?

Question

abc3643 · Accepted Answer

It didn't have to. It was ALWAYS a bit integrated. This is because of multiple factors... The New World was colonized by many nations including: 
 Spain, England, France, Portugal, Sweden, Netherlands, Russia. But there were also numerous indigenous peoples here as well. So, these cultures had to interact. Often violently but also peacefully. Most of the English who came here originally did so to avoid religious persecution. Many of the English colonies were founded by different Christian religious groups. For instance, Maryland for Catholics, Pennsylvania for Quakers, Massachusetts for "Pilgrims" who were Puritan Separatists, Rhode Island was founded Roger Williams, an expelled Pilgrim who believed in the separation of church and state. So, despite these colonies all being English, they all had different religions. However, the biggest factor was the city of New York. Unlike most of the Eastern Seaboard colonized mostly by France and England, New York was initially colonized by the Dutch as New Amsterdam. This is important because the Dutch were all about business and did not give a shit about religion. So, people from all over traded in New Amsterdam. And that is why still, to this day, New York is probably the most multicultural city on Earth. This about New York is very important because the American Founding Fathers saw how effective New York was as a multicultural community that it motivated them when they established the United States and wrote the Bill of Rights. They knew religion was a major problem and source for violence and that the various colonies were established on religious grounds, so the US was created to be a secular nation.  That we are a "nation of laws and not men" so it doesn't matter who you are or what God (s) you worship or how; what matters is the law and that people are treated equally under the law. This that I highlighted is very important because it is something that is taught. It is almost like a religious commandment here. And so, despite any bigotry or racism we may have, ultimately, we want the law to treat us all equally because, deep down inside, we all know that we are going to be a minority in something and we don't want to be abused by the majority.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

We use to have strong cultural pressure to conform and tended to only permit immigrants from culturally more compatible origins in any significant numbers to make that easier.

Thanks to people campaigning for "multiculturalism" and "diversity" we are not nearly so good at this which is why we are now a lot more divided with forign flags now flying over regions. Even still large sections of the federation reject theses ideas and alien cultures are more integrated as a result.

FreyaRed · Accepted Answer

Prosperity and possibility of expansion. Multiculti works when there are enough resources to share, if there is a economical or cultural decrease multiculturalism becomes one of the most toxic elements in a society and leads always to separatism or genocide of some minorities.

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

Basically by lots of flag waving and forcing kids to take the pledge each day. Without a shared history or culture to bind them they had to rely on creating a cult like society through propaganda and enforced patriotism.

loveslongnails · Answer

The "USA" didn't do anything to integrate cultures. In fact, it often fostered separating them. Any integration that did take place happened locally and out of necessity. You can argue that the Federal government did pass laws to ban discrimination, segregation and force integration at times, but many states passed their own laws allowing them.

There was a time when co-existence amongst many cultures was more prevalent, especially in larger cities, but I believe that was out of pure necessity and economics.

joesheks · Answer

It is easier to integrate when there are similarities - race, culture, religion, history. The US was founded by the British. German immigrants were different but had enough in common. Italians and Eastern Europeans much more difficult, their religion and culture is different etc.

Hispanics and blacks are not really compatible with us. This is why the discrimination etc labels get thrown around because people don’t really understand this concept.

Arabs are also incompatible.

East Asians do better than many at integrating, particularly if they convert to Christianity because they are smart and will adapt. They also are not troublemakers.

Other Asians it’s harder because their culture/religion/race is all different. Example: Indians

Despite what the brainwashers will tell you, places do best when they are homogenous. Lower crime, less friction, less disagreements. We just won’t have as many ethnic restaurants - that’s literally it.

strateguy632 · Answer

u. s. succeeded at interactions due to capitalism style, everyone needed everyone despite "he irish " in contrast to Europe every country hated their neighbor, until e. u. tried unifying money currency... but at first smart, it stretched beyond money so brits exited left , but u. s. succeeded as above due to capitalism style.

paledreams · Answer

The Constitution and the importance of drumroll please - not even American myself just answering from guessing - and assuming yes the dreaded assumption man I am - lol I assume - lol would be the Democrats. The Constitution and the Democrats are what have kept America vibrant for since the 1960s :)

DrPepper12 · Answer

Expediency, tolerance and urbanization. Its amazing what can happen when you have no choice. Im from NY so everyday is a kaleidescope of humanity in every beautiful, wonderful detail and difference. It's this exposure that makes many NYers so tolerant & liberal - we dont have a choice and we learn to accept and then enjoy and then celebrate the daily pageant. I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Dongie · Answer

That's what America is all about. That's the lure of freedom. It's more common than it was in the 1800s after we whipped the British but good for the second time in 30 years. And naturally the best athletes stand out. Look at Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owen's, Mark Spitz.

alice55 · Answer

They never integrated them just put them in different "quartier", people are extremely isolated in America seem they never integrate and just stay in their immigrant quartier.

RavVid · Answer

I think an interesting sub question is if the US has managed to integrate Islam immigrants and if so HOW?

andreasderjuengere · Answer

When there is no own culture - 'you' just gather the habits of those who turn up :D Et Voilà - for a while it will work. But actually... does it?

exitseven · Answer

America promised opportunity that no other country offered. All my grandparents were immigrants. They brought skills and culture from their homelands and added to this country.

meepmeeperton · Answer

For European immigrants, they ended up having sex with each other a lot and created something we just call “white” now.

WhiteBoyChill · Answer

You can’t find work here in the US or function in everyday society if you don’t speak English. Also, people want to assimilate and not stick out like sore thumbs. That’s the way it’s always been, and still is today

msc545 · Answer

They really are not integrated. They just stopped trying to kill each other. Mostly.

Fugitive_Predator · Answer

I tried to come to the USA. I didn't win green card lottery. I found jobs but companies rejected me because i dont have Social Security number.

NathanDavis · Answer

everyone likes tacos...

Drewtate · Answer

Through immigration control

Staximus · Answer

They didn't, it just kind of happened.

How did the USA manage to integrate the different cultures of the different immigrants who came to the USA?

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