212: The Melting Pot: Americans & Assimilation

What this episode covers

This week, Brian, Joanne, and Nathan wrestle with a long-running tension in our country’s history: what it means to assimilate and “become American.” We’ll explore the 19th-century notions of who could become an American and the ways they were expected to change. Plus, we’ll discuss how much room there was for a hyphenated American identity in the past and if there is room today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of BackStory?

This episode is 1 hour and 2 minutes long.

When was this BackStory episode published?

This episode was published on September 15, 2017.

What is this episode about?

This week, Brian, Joanne, and Nathan wrestle with a long-running tension in our country’s history: what it means to assimilate and “become American.” We’ll explore the 19th-century notions of who could become an American and the ways they were...

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