Isolationism

Question 1

What did most Americans believe?

Answer 1

They believed that America had no need to become involved in the affairs of other nations.

Question 2

Even though Wilson had successfully set up a League of Nations, based on collective security, why didn’t America join?

Answer 2

The Republicans, lead by Sir Henry Cabot Lodge, campaigned against the treaty, claiming it would undermine American sovereignty.

Question 3

Why could Wilson not defend the treaty?

Answer 3

Having suffered a paralysing stroke in September 1919, he couldn’t put his point across properly so the US senate agreed that America wouldn’t sign the treaty or join the league.

Question 4

What had America returned to?

Answer 4

Its policy of isolationism.

Question 5

What did America introduce to leave the US market clear for US goods?

Answer 5

A policy of strict tariff barriers, Protectionism.

Question 6

When was Fordney McCumber Tariff introduced?

Answer 6

1922.

Question 7

What did the Fordney McCumber tariff do?

Answer 7

Allowed the president to increase or drop duties by as much as 50%.

Question 8

What was the problem with protectionism?

Answer 8

It hit the ability and inclination of foreign countries to buy US good; a number of companies established branches abroad.

Question 9

By the end of the 1920s what were peoples thought about the policy?

Answer 9

Some bankers and businessmen were expressing doubts about the policy, but it satisfied politicians and the public.

Question 10

How many immigrants settled in the USA between 1860 and 1920?

Answer 10

Over 28 million.

Question 11

Why was there a growing dislike to the new arrivals?

Answer 11

The WASPS were achieving a lower position of power in society as America had become diverse in culture, religion and language.

Question 12

What did the WASPS fear?

Answer 12

The new influx of Jewish and Italian immigrants were viewed as a threat to their position.

Question 13

What established groups competed for the best jobs and housing?

Answer 13

Irish, German and French Canadian Americans.

Question 14

What happened to other groups in society?

Answer 14

They were left in crowds in the ghettos.

Question 15

What were the most common ghetto groups?

Answer 15

Blacks and Hispanics.

Question 16

What were these racist attitudes underlined by?

Answer 16

Fear about communism, socialism and anarchy.

Question 17

What was it widely believed that these immigrants would do?

Answer 17

They would bring with them ideas which would prove dangerous to the American Dream and to the stability of American life (rugged individualism).

Question 18

As a result of these fear what did the government do?

Answer 18

Passed a series of Immigration Acts.

Question 19

What did the 1917 act do?

Answer 19

Ordered all immigrants to pass a literacy test.

Question 20

What was the 1921 quota system?

Answer 20

It was designed to cut the number of immigrants coming to USA to allow the assimilation of those already there. No more than 327,000 immigrants were allowed each year and these had to be in proportion to the people of the same nationality who had been there at 1910. The figure was set at 3%.

Question 21

What did the 1924 National Origins Act do?

Answer 21

Deduce the quota to 2% of the 1890 census. This allowed more people to enter from Britain, Ireland and Northern Europe, but fewer from poverty-stricken Southern Europe or from Asia or South America.

Question 22

In 1929 what happened?

Answer 22

Only 150,000 immigrants were allowed to enter the country and no Asians at all.

Question 23

Where did 85% of places go to?

Answer 23

Northern and western Europeans.

Question 24

By 1930 what had virtually stopped?

Answer 24

Immigration from Eastern Europe, Japan and China.