Many people in Massachusetts were opposed to the new flow of immigration, for assorted reasons.
- Courtesy of The Granger Collection
- 'The Irish Frankenstein', 1882
There are several theories as to why the people of Massachusetts themselves were opposed to immigration. One possible reason was cultural; people did not want to be exposed to other cultures. Another reason was economic; immigrants were desperate for money and willing to work for less than Americans. This second reason would also explain why most of the people opposed to immigration were working class; they were afraid of the competition.