issue 1: immigration Flashcards
Introduction
America is built up on large numbers of immigrants, the USA had a policy called the “open door”. This policy meant that immigrants from all over the world could come to America and become an American for more of a normal life. However, in the 1920s a few years after the First World War the government put restrictions on immigrants on letting them into the USA which led to prejudice & racism in America. Other factors such as isolationism, fear of revolution, economic and social fear had an impact on the attitudes of the locals. This essay intends that Prejudice & racism was the most important in changing attitudes towards immigration in 1920.
Prejudice & racism
K- ‘Old immigrants’ or WASPs (White Anglo Saxon Protestants) made up the majority of US settlers in early 19th century
A- ‘New Immigrants’ were different from WASPs as their religion and culture were different and they thought they were going to take over.
K- Many immigrants were divided from the american culture, Especially those who stayed to their culture, clothes and formed cities such as ‘Little Italy’
A- ‘Old immigrants’ felt inferior to the ‘new immigrants’ and wanted to control the amount coming in the US.
A+-Prejudice and racism towards the new wave of immigrants was less important because the concern wast a new thing.
Isolationism
K-1913 Alien Land Law forbidden Japanese and other Asian immigrants in California to own Farm land.
A- The US wanted to prevent ‘Native Born Americans’ from immigrant competition by being isolated this then harden attitudes.
K-Many German immigrants supported their homeland in the war after America joined in 1917.
A-this is important as this highlighted the divisions in the US caused by immigration.
A+-Isolationism was historically entrenched in Americas policy since the 18th century, which suggests increasing hostility towards immigration.
Fear of Revolution
K-Many Russian immigrants arrived in the USA after 1917 and it was feared that they would come with revolutionary political plans after the communist revolution of 1917.
A-America was a capitalist and democratic country totally opposed to communism. which created new laws.
K-A wave of strikes in 1919 known as the ‘Red Scare’ and involving over 3 million workers seemed to be solid evidence that a revolution was about to happen.
A-this was important as there was a desire for immigration restrictions from countries like Russia increased.
A+-There was a significant revolutionary threat, which suggests the fear developed from pre existing prejudice.
Social and economic fear
K- Immigrants would crowd in poor cities and compete for housing so landlords raised rents to exploit them and maximise profit.
A- People turned against immigrants as they found out they were competing for housing that was now much more expensive.
K- Few ex-soldiers going for jobs. Sacco & Vanzetti, Italian anarchists, charged with armed robbery and murder 1920, 7 years jail, prior execution.
A- Showed the link in political extremists foreign influence & crime. Judge named them ‘anarchist bastards’.
A+-Crime was actually caused by industrialisation & Urbanisation which made many lose their jobs etc , need to steal to survive, not immigrants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, prejudice & Racism was the most important reason for the change in the attitude towards immigrants. The old immigrants saw the new immigrants who moved into the USA thought they were going to take over and change the religion and culture so many changed opinions and attitudes which lead to discrimination of the immigration laws.
In addition, isolationism contributed in the change of attitude towards immigrants as laws were brought in were singled them out
After the US wanted no foreign influences after the first world war. However, prejudice & racism is more important as the KKK was an organisation which was heavily followed in the 1920s which contributed in violence attacks towards the new immigrants.
Furthermore, social and economic fear created a giant influence to the attitude, which created more pressure on the government to set out immigrant laws which concerned the immigrants for jobs, housing and showed new immigrants were unable to assimilate in the society. However, prejudice & racism was the most important because throughout the early 19th century laws were passed out like the 1924 National Origins Act that set the limit at 2% of the 1890 census.
Overall, each supporting factor showed prejudice & racist views and seemed to give them something concrete to attach them to.
