What was the overall attitude towards immigration during the rise of nativism?

During the rise of nativism, the overall attitude towards immigration was indeed hostile and discriminatory towards foreigners. This period, particularly prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was characterized by a strong backlash against immigrants, driven by fears that they were undermining American values, jobs, and social stability.

Nativists promoted the idea that native-born Americans were superior to immigrants, leading to xenophobia and the belief that immigrants were responsible for societal problems. This hostility often manifested in legislation aimed at restricting immigration, as well as social movements that sought to preserve the so-called "American way of life." Discriminatory practices, including violence and legal barriers against certain immigrant groups, became widespread, reflecting a broader sentiment that viewed immigrants as outsiders threatening national identity.

The other options reflect attitudes that were not aligned with the nativist perspective. The welcoming and inclusive stance would contradict the nativist focus on exclusion, while support for increased immigration would directly oppose the restrictive measures that nativists advocated. Encouraging cultural assimilation, while sometimes relevant, was typically framed within a context of forcing immigrants to abandon their identities, rather than promoting a genuinely inclusive society.