1Sociology 220, Pamela OliverHistory OverviewThe Creation and Consolidation of the White Racial StateSociology 220, Pamela OliverImmigration to America• We are all Africans in origin• Human species spread around the world from Africa• Our history of America begins in 1492Sociology 220, Pamela OliverGetting Here• Americans “Always here.” At least 12,000 years• Mexicans. “Always here.” 90%+ are of indigenous American ancestry, at least in part• Africans. Arrived with Europeans beginning ~1500, stopped migrating around 1800 (until very recently)• Europeans. Arrived with Africans beginning ~1500, but most immigration was in 1800s• Asians. Some present in 1800s, bulk of immigration since 1970.• Others: Puerto Ricans, Pilipinos, Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders “arrived” through colonialism; many others through immigration in smaller numbersSociology 220, Pamela OliverTheory: History & Conflict• Groups are in conflict. In our story, the conflict begins with European colonial expansion. One group (Europeans) seeking to take over land occupied by indigenous Americans and to expropriate the labor power of Americans and Africans • The struggles of the past create material conditions that constrain action choices in the present.• Today’s conflicts are structured by the past, are the legacies of historySociology 220, Pamela OliverInequality & Conflict• Inequalities in military, economic resources lead to political inequalities• Coercion & conquest are the origin of European dominance in America• Resources and capacities are crucial• Weaker groups can resist domination and still lose• Those who get power use it to keep themselves in power & preserve their privilegesSociology 220, Pamela OliverUSA as a Racial State• Early formation of US was a government of, for, and by white people• American Indians were “foreign nations” to be fought, negotiated with• African slaves explicitly excluded from citizenship in Constitution of 1791; citizenship rights of free Africans taken away after 1790s• 1790 Immigration and Naturalization Act. Migrants from Europe can become citizens in relatively easy process of "naturalization." Only "whites" can be naturalized. (Restrictions not removed until 1940s)2Sociology 220, Pamela OliverAct of March 26, 1790 (1 Stat 103-104) (Excerpts)Act of March 26, 1790 (1 Stat 103-104) (Excerpts)That any alien, being a free white person, who shall have resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States for the term of two years, may be admitted to become a citizen thereof, on application to any common law court of record,in any one of the States wherein he shall have resided for the term of one year at least, and making proof to the satisfaction of such court, that he is a person of good character, and taking the oath or affirmation prescribed by law, to support the Constitution of the United States, which oath or affirmation such court shall administer; and the clerk of such court shall record such application, and the proceedings thereon; and thereupon such person shall be considered as a citizen of the United States. And the children of such persons so naturalized, dwelling within the United States, being under the age of twenty-one years at the time of such naturalization, shall also be considered as citizens of the United States. And the children of citizens of the United States, that may be born beyond sea, or out of the limits of the United States, shall be considered as natural born citizens: Provided, that the right of citizenship shall not descend to persons whose fathers have never been resident in the United States: . . . Sociology 220, Pamela OliverImmigration to US, in 1000s0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000199019801970196019501940193019201910190018901880187018601850184018301820Sociology 220, Pamela OliverImmigration to US as a % of Base024681012199019801970196019501940193019201910190018901880187018601850184018301820Sociology 220, Pamela OliverUS History Overview- 1• Pre-1800. – European settlements, armies; – massive indigenous American deaths; – African slavery• 1800-1860. – Europeans immigrate in droves, expand their territory– force indigenous Americans to move west– battles over slaverySociology 220, Pamela OliverUS History Overview - 2• 1860-1865. US civil war (war between the states)• 1865 – 1920. Consolidation of the racial state.– Even more European immigration – Jim Crow segregation worsens conditions for blacks – Final conquest of the indigenous Americans – Imperialism & colonialism. – Asian immigration & racist anti-Asian movements & laws lead to bans on Asian immigration• 1920 Massive immigration ends for 50 yearsSociology 220, Pamela OliverOverview 1865-1920• Europeans: South devastated, US consolidates military control of the continent; massive migration from Europe• Africans: Freed slaves start to make some advances, white state reconsolidates around segregation & white dominance• Americans: US military forces conquer the remaining free Americans, drive population down to 200,000• Asians: Significant immigration, explicit racist attacks, segregation, passage of restrictions against immigration; colonialism (Philippines, Hawaii)•“Latinos”: colonialism (Puerto Rico), displacement (Mexicans),
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