intolerance and prejudice 1920s Flashcards
between 1890-1920, there was a huge increase in immigrants from south and east europe, why did many americans dissaprove of these new immigrants?
often unskilled with little education, americans didnt believe they could contribute to society
some worried cheap immigrant labour created job competition and would decrease wages
fears that some immigrants were communist
how were immigrants treated in america?
treated with distrust and suspicion
employers exploited immigrants, paying little for long hours
immigrants could only afford housing in poorest parts of city
in 1917, literacy tests were introduced, what were these?
immigrants were required to pass a literacy test in order to enter usa
in 1921, emergency quota act was introduced, what was this?
limited how many immigrants from certain countries
in 1924, johnson-reed act was introduced, what was this?
put more limits on immigration
was passed because of racism and fear of foreigners
how were african american discriminated?
discrimination in jobs and housing meant african americans lived in poverty
few employment opportunities, any work they could find paid badly
forced to live in ghettos in poor areas of city
what was red scare?
period of fear that the american’s way of life was at risk of being destroyed by those who disagreed with capitalism
which 2 groups prompted red scare?
anarchists and communists
what were the 1919 bombings?
in 1919, supporters of luigi galleani ( italian anarchist) carried out bombings against important figures
what were palmer raids?
as a result of the 1919 bombings, the government arrested suspected communists and anarchists, mostly immigrants
what was the sacco and vanzetti case in 1921?
in 1921, 2 italian anarchists, sacco and vanzetti were convicted of murder and robbery
why was sacco and vanzetti case so controversial?
many thought justice system discriminated them because they were immigrants and their political views
no clear-cut evidence
executed in 1927
who were the kkk?
white supremacist group based in southern states
what actions did members of kkk commit?
members committed violent crimes to intimidate and kill minorities
what was the aim of kkk?
to keep america white and protestant
why did kkk rise in popularity?
rose in popularity as levels of “new” immigration rose and african americans moved to cities
why did kkk fall in popularity?
lost popularity in 1925, indiana kkk leader, d.c. stephenson was convicted of murdering and raping a white woman
