What helped immigrants in the late 1800sand early 1900s retrain their culture A) adopting America traditions B) living in enclaves C) fleeing religious persecution D) avoiding discrimination

History · Middle School · Mon Jan 18 2021

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B) living in enclaves

Immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s often retained their culture by living in enclaves. An enclave is a distinct area or neighborhood that is populated by a particular ethnic group, which often maintains much of its cultural identity apart from the dominant culture. These enclaves could be found in many of the larger cities in the United States, such as New York's Little Italy or Chinatown. They were places where immigrants could speak their native language, practice their customs and religion, enjoy traditional foods, and support one another amid a society that was sometimes unwelcoming. They served as cultural havens and provided a sense of community and belonging, which helped immigrants to retain their cultural identity.

Extra: Immigrants coming to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were often in search of economic opportunities, freedom from political oppression, or escape from religious persecution. Once settled, many of these immigrants experienced culture shock and sought familiarity within their own communities. This led to the formation of enclaves where they could continue their traditions.

The other options you provided relate to the immigrant experience, but do not directly help in retaining their original culture. Adopting American traditions (A) would actually lead to the assimilation into the broader American society, as opposed to holding onto their original cultural practices. Fleeing religious persecution (C) is a reason why many immigrants left their homelands, but it doesn't necessarily relate to the preservation of culture in the new country. Avoiding discrimination (D) was certainly a concern for many immigrants, and while it may have coincidentally led them to settle among their own ethnic group where their culture was maintained, its primary goal was safety and avoidance of prejudice, not the retention of cultural identity.