In the early 1900s; Teddy Roosevelt; New Mexico governors Miguel Antonio Otero and Octaviano Larrazolo; and Arizona legislator Carl Hayden—along with the voices of less well-known American women and men—promoted very different views on what being an American meant. Their writings and speeches contributed to definitions of American national identity during a tumultuous and dynamic era. At stake in these heated debates was the very meaning of what constituted an American; the political boundaries for the United States; and the legitimacy of cultural diversity in modern America.In Debating American Identity; Linda C. Noel examines several nation-defining events—the proposed statehood of Arizona and New Mexico; the creation of a temporary worker program during the First World War; immigration restriction in the 1920s; and the repatriation of immigrants in the early 1930s. Noel uncovers the differing ways in which Americans argued about how newcomers could fit within the nation-state; in terms of assimilation; pluralism; or marginalization; and the significance of class status; race; and culture in determining American identity. Noel shows not only how the definition of American was contested; but also how the economic and political power of people of Mexican descent; their desire to incorporate as Americans or not; and the demand for their territory or labor by other Americans played an important part in shaping decisions about statehood and national immigration policies. Debating American Identity skillfully shows how early twentieth century debates over statehood influenced later ones concerning immigration; in doing so; it resonates with current discussions; resulting in a well-timed look at twentieth century citizenship.
#1626779 in Books Brookings Institution Press 2006-08-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .81 x 5.98l; 1.12 #File Name: 0815751516342 pages
Review
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. A book to be grateful forBy K. DonowLaurence and Vaisse have written a very sane set of analyses of Islam in France. The book is rigorously based on solid data and well conceived historical research. They also support their work with interviews with important participants in the processes they describe. Absolutely every one interested in the integration of Islam into Europe would do well to read this fine work.Now I want to reserve the reviewer's prerogatives of a side note. The first part of the book presents of French Muslims based on survey research and an analysis of secondary material compiled by the governments of France and the US. The body of the work is largely attuned to the evolution of French institutions; both of the government and of the Muslim communities. Now someone needs to find a way to apply the same rigour and rationality to the problem placing the subaltern populations of the banlieu in the framework of French life a bit more fully than I believe is now possible. That will be another book written in another day. Whatever it looks like; it will surely build on the base established here by Laurence and Vaisse.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Fantastic ReadBy Tracy MainThis book should be required reading to juxtapose all the fear-based claims that Islamic immigration is endangering the West. It is based on solid research almost to a fault in that it stays away from making many predictions. Unfortunately; this book is not nearly as well-read as those serving up fear (based on the lack of reviews here). Very insightful book!
