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Why did the USA become more hostile towards immigration?

Why did the USA become more hostile towards immigration?. What will we learn today?. How attitudes in the USA changed towards immigration Why attitudes in the USA changed towards immigration. Isolationism. Economic Isolationism. Fordney-McCumber Act 1921

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Why did the USA become more hostile towards immigration?

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  1. Why did the USA become more hostile towards immigration?

  2. What will we learn today? • How attitudes in the USA changed towards immigration • Why attitudes in the USA changed towards immigration

  3. Isolationism

  4. Economic Isolationism • Fordney-McCumber Act 1921 • Designed to protect American industry • Placed a tariff (?) on all manufactured goods entering the country.

  5. Political Isolationism • Democratic Pres. Wilson had convinced Congress of the moral duty of the USA to assist her allies 3 years into WWI. • Stories of heroism and allied tactical stupidity along with the casualties of the war shocked the Americans. • There was clear desire to isolate the country from the rest of the world to ensure they were not dragged into another “European” war. • The US did not sign up for the League of Nations • Republican Pres. Harding (elected 1920) urged for a return to “normalcy”.

  6. Social Isolationism • Many people did not want to enter the war in Europe. • Many immigrants “sympathised” with their mother countries. • Anti – German sentiment grew – many German immigrants supported Germany at the outbreak of war – split society. • Irish immigrants were viewed with suspicion (?) • Anything foreign was seen as a threat to the US way of life

  7. Social Isolationism • Evidence of isolationism prior to WWI • 1884 Immigration Restriction League • 1882 Federal Immigration Act • Chinese Exclusion Act • 1913 Alien Land law • 10 year (later extended) ban on Chinese immigration • 50 cent tax on immigrants arriving in USA • California State law controlling purchase of land by Asians • Group who campaigned to stop immigration as it damaged US society.

  8. Task • In pairs, complete the note taking task on American isolationism following WWI. • Instructions are on the sheet

  9. Social fears • High density of immigrants in ghettos in the cities – a Central/ Eastern European way of life brought to the USA • Immigrants mainly lived in the cities, therefore there was increased urbanisation – not seen as desirable • Cities had high crime rates - immigrants blamed

  10. Sacco and Vanzetti • Italian immigrants convicted of murder on the flimsiest of evidence in 1921. • Given the death penalty. • Racist fears over crime blamed for their conviction • Later proven innocent – proclaimed by the Governor of Massachusetts (Michael Dukakis) in 1977.

  11. Economic fears... • Trade Unions were formed but felt undermined by Polish and Italian workers who were prepared to work longer, for less. • Strikes of 1919 – immigrants used as “strike breakers”. People really resented the immigrants. • Although seemingly wealthy – American society was very divided. Most working class people struggled in the shadows of the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Astors.

  12. Fear of Communism • Russia became communist and was committed to spreading it and destroying capitalism. • Culminated in the “Red Summer” of 1919 – a genuine fear that the Communists were about to take over!

  13. Palmer Raids (1919) • Mitchell Palmer – Attorney General of the USA • House was blown up • Hoped to become President • Arrested 6,000 socialists and anarchists • Deported hundreds to Russia

  14. Prejudice and Racism • Didn’t like the changing nature of the immigrants • Nativism – many imm. Were Jewish or Catholic. Many WASPs disliked the Catholics • Many imm. Wore traditional dress and followed their own customs – it looked out of place. • Many race riots (white vs. Black) took place in 1919 – especially Chicago. • The KKK rose again – capitalising on the anti – immigrant / Black Am feeling.

  15. Klan in the 1920s

  16. Why did the USA become more hostile towards immigration in the 20th century?

  17. Group Task • You have responsibility for researching one of the factors that was responsible for causing hostility towards immigrants to increase during the 1920s • Research and then present your findings to your classmates • Isolationism • Social fears • Economic Fears • Prejudice and racism • Fear of revolution

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