Issue 1 Essay Flashcards
Intro
America’s ‘open door policy.’
After around 300 years, America decided to close their doors in the 1920’s.
WWI created friction between immigrants and Americans and was responsible for a change in attitudes to a certain extent.
Other factors need to be examined.
Arguably, Isolationism was most important because…
WWI
K - Sinking of the Lusitania by German U-boats led to USA joining the war.
A - Led to anti-German attitudes in the country, relationships were strained between immigrant communities themselves.
K - Uprisings in Ireland, 1616 Easter Rising.
A - Irish were seen as anti-British therefore anti-Ally, relationships were strained.
A+ - Through encouragement, immigrants paid liberty bonds in their thousands and America ended up being reliant on them for the war.
E - Therefore, WWI lead to a change in attitudes because…
Isolationism
K - The second half of the 19th century saw a rise in xenophobia. The IRL formed in 1884, they used books, pamphlets to disseminate information regarding the ‘new’ immigrants.
A - This changed attitudes as the message was spread far and wide, through many mediums.
K - “On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection” gave birth to the Eugenics movement, who claimed that ‘new’ immigrants were inferior.
A - Xenophobes now had ‘scientific’ evidence to back up their beliefs, so could easily persuade the uneducated.
A+ - Eugenics was based on totally fabricated science, so in reality they had no scientific proof at all.
E - Therefore, this changed attitudes because…
Hugh Brogan - “Certain races did not carry the desirable qualities to be American.”
Fear of Revolution
K - Following WWI, fear of a communist uprising spread through the U.S. Fear mainly resided in upper classes who had the most to lose.
A - This changed attitudes as the fear created an intolerance for immigrants.
K - This fear led to the Palmer Raids of 1919. Which lead to the roundup, deportation or imprisonment of around 6,000 ‘aliens’ in America.
A - This changed attitudes as people saw the government taking drastic action against immigrants, so they were perceived as a larger threat than they actually were.
A+ - Palmer Raids were seen as too extreme by the working class, so some sympathy for immigrants still remained.
E - Therefore, this changed attitudes because…
“Many Americans were shocked.” - Susan-Mary Grant.
E+ - It can be argued that Isolationism was more important because people of all classes could be persuaded by the IRL’s propaganda.
Prejudice and Racism
K - Immigrants of previous generations were mainly WASPs, and were seen as hard working and economy building. New immigrants were criticised for not trying hard enough to assimilate with these people.
A - This changed attitudes because the way of life of the ‘new’ immigrants was seen as distinctly un-American, old immigrants were afraid of using the nation they created.
A+ - However, many immigrants were unwillingly forced into crowded, unsanitary and un-American areas - they had no choice.
K - The Alien Land Law passed in 1913 was created to target Japanese immigration in California.
A - This changed attitudes because it was later adopted by 11 more states, which showed the spread of anti-immigrant attitudes across the country.
E - Therefore, this changed attitudes because…
E+ - It can be argued that Isolationism was most important because it solidified this fear and provided ‘scientific’ evidence to back up people’s fears.
“The peoples (of the U.SA) … cemented their union with hatret, fear and contempt for foreigners.” Hugh Brogan
Conclusion
In conclusion,
On the one hand Fear of Revolution was important as….
On the other hand, Prejudice and Racism is also important as…
However, it is less important than Fear of Revolution because…
Overall, Isolationism is the most important reason as (2pts of evidence)
Therefore, although, WWI was important - Isolationism was more important to (wording of question)
