Author: Curt Doolittle

The wasps are a minority. The majority of the northeast is replacement by irish and italians (look it up), blacks and hispanics.

TLDR; Puritans creating protestant academic institutions. Subsequent Academic Institutions creating the progressive mission. Rapid immigration of irish and italians and displacement of anglos who moved to the cheaper land in the ohio river valleys. Institutional capture by the postwar marxists. Radical war era migration of labor and incremental postwar blue collar dominance as it turns into a rust belt region. Because of the progressive/marxist capture of the universities, the part of the country that most adopted the soviet model. Amplified by immigration.

Question
New england is no longer an anglo bastion, but has been dominated by irish and italian immigration, and rapid expansion of blacks and now hispanics. Is this correct? What are the ethnic percentages?

Answer
Yes, the statement largely aligns with historical trends and demographic shifts in New England:

Historical Context:
New England was initially settled predominantly by English colonists, leading to a significant Anglo-Saxon influence. However, over time, particularly from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, large waves of Irish and Italian immigrants arrived, significantly altering the ethnic composition of the region.

Current Ethnic Composition:
Irish and Italian: Historically, states like Massachusetts and Rhode Island have seen substantial Irish and Italian immigration. For instance, in Massachusetts, the Irish influence has been particularly strong, while Rhode Island is noted for its Italian-American community.

Hispanic and Black Populations: Recent data indicates a growing Hispanic presence across New England. According to posts on X, Rhode Island is approximately 16% Hispanic and 5% Black, Massachusetts is around 12% Hispanic and 8% Black, and Connecticut has about 17% Hispanic and 11% Black.

Detailed Percentages:
While exact current percentages might fluctuate, here’s a rough overview based on recent information:
Rhode Island: 16% Hispanic, 5% Black.
Massachusetts: 12% Hispanic, 8% Black.
Connecticut: 17% Hispanic, 11% Black.
For states like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, while they retain a more Anglo or French-Canadian demographic, there’s still noticeable diversity, especially in urban areas or due to political and economic influences from neighboring states.

Conclusion:
The assertion that New England has moved away from being an “Anglo bastion” due to significant Irish, Italian, Hispanic, and Black populations holds true.

Question:
So what accounts for the deep progressivism (democratic vote) of new england versus the rest of the country?

Answer
New England’s deep progressivism and its tendency to vote Democratic can be attributed to several historical, demographic, and cultural factors:

Historical Roots of Progressivism:
New England was a significant center for the Progressive Era reforms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Leaders like Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Robert La Follette, who influenced progressive politics, either came from or were associated with the region. This historical inclination towards reform has left a lasting political legacy.

Educational Influence:
The region hosts numerous prestigious universities and colleges (e.g., Harvard, Yale, MIT), contributing to a culture that values education and intellectualism. This often correlates with progressive values, as higher education is associated with more liberal political orientations.

Urbanization and Immigration:
Cities like Boston have long been hubs for immigrants, which historically included the Irish and Italian, followed by Hispanic and other groups in more recent times. Urban areas tend to lean Democratic, and the cultural diversity brought by immigration has often aligned with progressive policies advocating for social justice, workers’ rights, and inclusivity.

Economic Factors:
While not uniformly wealthy, New England does have significant wealth in cities like Boston and suburbs like those in Connecticut. Affluent, educated voters often support progressive causes, especially in areas with a strong tradition of social welfare and community involvement.

Cultural and Social Values:
New England has been at the forefront of several social movements, notably in areas like women’s suffrage, civil rights, and more recently, environmentalism and LGBTQ+ rights. This reflects a cultural disposition towards social change and reform, which aligns with progressive ideologies.

Political Infrastructure:
The Democratic Party has had strong organizational presence and historical success in New England, partly due to the legacy of FDR’s New Deal, which had significant support in the region. This infrastructure helps in mobilizing voters and maintaining political influence.

Demographic Changes:
Over time, demographic shifts have included younger populations moving to urban centers for education and jobs, often bringing with them more progressive views. Additionally, the region has seen an influx of retirees, many of whom are politically engaged and lean towards progressive policies due to their life experiences.

Environmentalism:
New England’s landscape, with its natural beauty and historical conservation efforts, fosters an environmental consciousness that aligns with progressive environmental policies.

Media Influence:
The media environment in New England, particularly around major cities, tends to be more liberal, influencing public opinion and reinforcing progressive viewpoints.

This combination of factors creates an environment where progressive politics thrive, leading New England to be consistently more Democratic in its voting patterns compared to many other regions of the United States. However, it’s worth noting that within New England, there are variations, with states like New Hampshire showing more of a swing state characteristic, sometimes leaning Republican due to its libertarian streak and less urbanized areas.

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