Issue 1 (Changing Attitudes) Flashcards
Intro
In 1920s American attitudes towards immigrants changed due to open-door policy.
Immigrants coming from Eastern Europe challenged culture and beliefs. We’re seen as threats
Prejudice and Racism
Knowledge
Before 1830 mostly Protestant. After 1860 over 3 mill catholics, mainly Irish and Hispanic. 1/10 population.
Jews weren’t liked as successful. Discriminated & blamed for Bolshevik rev. Rumoured to destroy Angelo-Saxon life, we’re hated and targeted by KKK
Prejudice and Racism
Analysis
WASPs felt to many immigrants and wanted racial ‘purity’ so didn’t want immigrants in. WASPs felt superior and many academics and politicians claimed that Eastern Europeans were inferior to WASPs. Woodrow Wilson “they were afraid that new immigrants would destroy American culture and many activists were pledged to protect the purity of the American deal”.
Prejudice and Racism
Analysis +
Racism towards immigrants want new as seen by the first immigration act in 1885.
Hugh Brogan “An upsurge of passionate nationalism…the people [of the USA] … clung to each other for reassurance and cemented their union with hatred, fear and contempt of foreigners”.
Joined idea of immigrants, passed down for generations. Stronger hatred and hostility.
Isolationism
Knowledge
Americans needed immigrants for growth, near the end of 1920 there was an increase in xenophobia. It started in 1887 with the Chinese Exclusion Act.
After WWI there was a social and economic frustration which was blamed on the immigrants, due to this new anti-immigration legislation into play
Isolation
Analysis
It put 1921&24 into play.
1921 emergency quota act restricted immigration into the US. It mainly effected Eastern and Southern Europeans as the US allowed more British and Western Europe as already some in. Was taken further 1924 national origins act no Asian immigrants allowed into US and reduced number of Eastern Europeans to only 2% per annum.
Isolationism
Analysis +
Americans were scared of immigrants.
Susan-Mary Grant “from an asylum for oppressed, America, with this single act (national origins act) transferred itself into a glorified gated community”.
Americans were happy with these act as it made them feel safer and being protected from the rest of the world.
Fear of Revolution
Knowledge
Due to the Russian rev in 1917 Americans were scared of Russian as they would bring their communist ideas. This was called the “red scare”
Attorney-general Michell Palmer said US must purge itself of “foreign-born subversive and agitators”. This called the Palmer raids in Jan 1920. 6000 “ aliens” were rounded up and arrest or expelled from the country. Most were let out as no formal arrest.
Fear of Revolution
Analysis
Americans grew more paranoid of immigrants as they didn’t know what they would do or challenge. Increase fear as 38 people died due to a bomb in Wall Street in September of 1920 by Italians, the Americans started a purge on the immigrants.
Fear of Revolution
Analysis +
However it was just a fear that was over exaggerated by Americans as they wanted a justifiable reason to not allow immigrants in. 3 guns found after Plamer raids and the most arrested were released as didn’t have enough evidence. The “6000” aliens were respectable citizens but due to fear were rounded up, this increased demand for newer stricter anti-immigration laws.
Social Fears
Knowledge
Americans new immigrants had no money and little wage jobs only afford cheap houses. Up to 10-12 people staying in single room house. Immigrants blamed for overcrowding and poor condition.
Immigrants blamed for crime increase. In 1920 Sacco and Vanzetti were on trial for 2 murder. 107 witness says wasn’t there still sentence to electric chair.
Social fears
Analysis
After Sacco and Vanzetti hostility towards immigrants increased. Crime rates increased “new” immigrants were blamed. US became separate of Americans and Immigrants.
Susan Mary-Grant “Sacco and Vanzetti [became] symbols of a divided nation”.
Social Fears
Analysis +
Americans had preconceived judgment about people of certain nationalities. The Americans supported the execution, even tho evidence pointed to being not guilty. This caused outbreaks in Paris, Geneva and Berlin.
Economic Fears
Knowledge
After WWI unemployment went from 5.2% to 11.7% by 1921. Immigrants got the blame as they were so desperate for work. Immigrants were seen as stealing jobs from Americans. Short resection in 1920-22 immigrants got jobs as worked longer for less.
Americans angry upset and unskilled got jobs over the immigrants as they were used to these conditions. Trade unions were annoyed as they worked so hard for better conditions, less hours, age restriction and higher pay. Italians and Polish were so desperate they were taking these jobs.
Economic Fear
Analysis
America born citizen and trade unions wanted the work act as the employers were hiring workers who would take lower pay. Immigrants were unskilled and jumped at any job opportunities that came around even if low pay, poor working conditions and long hours. Americans feared they would lose there jobs as the immigrants would take them.
