Immigration to America: 19th & 20th Century
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Questions and Answers

What was the primary reason for the large influx of immigrants to America in the 19th and early 20th centuries?

  • Escaping oppressive government regimes
  • Seeking political asylum from war-torn countries
  • Finding religious freedom in a new land
  • Chasing the American Dream for better opportunities (correct)

Which policy change significantly reduced immigration to the United States in the 1920s?

  • The Open Door Act
  • The Immigration and Nationality Act
  • The Emergency Quota Act (correct)
  • The Immigration Restriction Act

Which group was particularly known for its hostility towards immigrants in the 1920s?

  • The Ku Klux Klan (correct)
  • The American Legion
  • The Knights of Labor
  • The National Immigration Alliance

What nickname was given to immigrants from Northern Europe before the 1920s?

<p>WASPs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which immigrant communities were primarily established by Italian immigrants in America?

<p>Little Italy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did established immigrants begin to view newer immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe negatively?

<p>They were seen as unskilled and poorer (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

By 1925, what was the estimated membership of the Ku Klux Klan?

<p>3 million (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Many immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe were often characterized by which traits?

<p>Poor, unskilled laborers who were either Catholic or Jewish (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What sentiment did many Americans hold towards immigrants after World War I?

<p>They became increasingly hostile towards certain immigrants. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of crime were immigrants primarily associated with, according to the data from the 1920s?

<p>Petty theft and burglary (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason for the increase in nativism in America after World War I?

<p>Concerns over immigration from Germany after the war. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did the USA adopt a policy of isolationism before the 20th century?

<p>To focus on domestic issues and development. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What event significantly contributed to the USA's decision to enter World War I?

<p>The Zimmermann Telegram (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did American attitudes towards European immigration change post-World War I?

<p>They became generally hostile towards European immigrants. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one tangible contribution that immigrants, including those of German origin, made during World War I?

<p>Provided financial support through liberty bonds (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the anti-German sentiment in America during World War I?

<p>Targeted discrimination against German Americans (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary reason for the KKK's animosity towards immigrants in the 1920s?

<p>They saw immigrants as culturally and racially inferior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion did the Dillingen Commission reach regarding new immigrants in 1911?

<p>New immigrants should take a literacy test for entry. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the events in Russia in 1917 influence American attitudes towards immigrants?

<p>They made Americans fearful of potential communist ideas. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the Palmer Raids primarily focused on?

<p>Deporting immigrants from America without trial (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What event in June 1919 intensified public fear of political extremism in the United States?

<p>The bombing of US Attorney General Mitchell Palmer's house. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What demographic did the KKK particularly target with its prejudiced views?

<p>Catholics and Jews. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event contributed significantly to the public hysteria regarding immigration in America during the early 1920s?

<p>The increase in political violence in 1919 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one major belief held by Americans towards Southern and Eastern European immigrants in the 1920s?

<p>They could not assimilate into American society. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What social issue was primarily blamed on the influx of new immigrants in the 1920s?

<p>Increased levels of crime (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the Palmer Raids for the immigrant population?

<p>Deportation without due process (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the general public perception of new immigrants regarding political beliefs in the early 20th century?

<p>They were associated with radical political ideas. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the public perception of immigrants change by the end of the 1920s?

<p>It turned increasingly negative due to crime and housing shortages (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the KKK's activities have on racial attitudes in America during the 1920s?

<p>They reinforced racism and xenophobia. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which group of people was primarily involved in the notorious trial that highlighted anti-immigrant sentiments?

<p>Italian immigrants (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a key feature of the housing situation for new immigrants in the early 20th century?

<p>They were often forced to live in ghettos (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What legal outcome did Sacco and Vanzetti face after their trial?

<p>They were executed despite doubts about their guilt (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

American Dream

The belief that hard work and opportunity in America can lead to a better life for everyone, regardless of their background.

Open-Door Policy

A policy that welcomes immigrants without strict restrictions, allowing them to freely enter a country.

Emergency Quota Act

A law passed in 1921 limiting the number of immigrants allowed into the USA, marking a shift in immigration policy.

WASP

Acronym for White, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant, used to describe immigrants from Northern Europe who were seen as desirable in early America.

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Little Italy

An example of a neighborhood in New York City where Italian immigrants formed a distinct community.

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Prejudice and Racism

Negative attitudes and actions towards a group of people based on their origin, ethnicity, or religion.

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Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

A hate group that targeted immigrants and minorities, advocating for a white, Protestant America.

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Why did immigration policies change in the 1920s?

The influx of new immigrants, primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe, led to growing hostility and prejudice towards them, prompting stricter immigration laws.

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Nativism

A belief that favors native-born Americans over new immigrants.

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Isolationism

The policy of staying out of foreign affairs and avoiding involvement in international conflicts.

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Anti-German Sentiment

Negative feelings and actions directed towards Germans and German Americans during World War I.

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Liberty Bonds

Bonds sold by the US government to finance World War I, bought by many Americans including immigrants.

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Post-War Immigration Attitudes

A shift in American attitudes towards immigration after World War I, becoming less welcoming and wanting isolation.

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Immigration and Crime Rates

The misconception that immigrants were solely responsible for rising crime rates in the 1920s, which data later proved false.

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Impact of World War I on Immigration

World War I significantly impacted American attitudes towards immigration, leading to anti-immigrant sentiment and isolationism.

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Pre-War American Foreign Policy

Before the 20th century, America had a policy of neutrality, staying out of foreign wars.

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Palmer Raids

A series of raids conducted in the early 1920s targeting suspected communists and anarchists, primarily immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe.

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Red Scare

A period of intense fear and suspicion of communism and radical left-wing political ideas in the United States, particularly after World War I.

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Immigration Restrictions

Policies implemented in the 1920s to limit the number of immigrants entering the United States, particularly those from Southern and Eastern Europe.

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Ghettos

Overcrowded and impoverished neighborhoods in cities, often occupied by recent immigrants who could only afford the cheapest housing.

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Sacco and Vanzetti

Two Italian immigrants accused of murdering two men in 1920. Their trial and execution sparked controversy due to suspicions of anti-immigrant bias.

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Anti-Immigrant Sentiment

The growing resentment and blame targeted at new immigrants for social issues like housing shortages and crime.

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Housing Shortages

A lack of affordable housing in American cities due to the influx of new immigrants who could only afford the cheapest and most overcrowded areas.

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Increased Crime Rates

A rise in crime, especially violent crimes, which was largely attributed to the influx of new immigrants in the 1920s.

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New Immigrants

Immigrants arriving in the US from Southern and Eastern Europe in the early 20th century, often facing discrimination and prejudice.

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Assimilation

The process of immigrants adopting the customs, language, and culture of their new country.

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Cultural Differences

Variations in the way of life, beliefs, traditions, and values among different groups.

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Dillingen Commission

A government commission formed in 1907 to investigate immigration and the differences between 'old' and 'new' immigrants.

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Literacy Test

A test requiring immigrants to demonstrate their ability to read and write before entering the US, implemented in 1911.

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Political Extremism

Radical political beliefs and actions that go beyond the norm.

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Study Notes

Immigration to America in the 19th and 20th Centuries

  • Population explosion in America due to immigration, with many seeking better lives.
  • Open-door policy with few restrictions on immigration in earlier periods.
  • Approximately 35 million people immigrated between 1900 and 1914.

Changing Attitudes Towards Immigrants (1920s)

  • Open-door policy replaced by restrictions on immigration.
  • Emergency Quota Act of 1921 limited yearly immigration.
  • Rise in prejudice and racism against immigrants, particularly those from Southern and Eastern Europe.
  • WASPs (White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant) seen as desirable immigrants, often skilled workers.
  • New immigrants, often poor and unskilled from Southern and Eastern Europe (e.g., Poland, Italy, Russia), established communities (e.g., Little Italy).

Hostility Towards New Immigrants

  • Established immigrants, like WASPs, became hostile towards newer arrivals.
  • Ku Klux Klan (KKK) promoted prejudice against Catholics, Jews, and non-white people.
  • High membership of the KKK indicated the level of racism and prejudice against immigrants.
  • Many believed new immigrants were inferior and a threat to American society.

Political and Social Concerns

  • Fear of political revolution and communist ideas (especially after Russian Revolution).
  • Palmer Raids (1919-1920): mass arrests of suspected radicals, mainly immigrants.
  • Rise in nativism with a focus on favoring native-born Americans.

Housing and Crime Concerns

  • Housing shortages in cities due to immigration.
  • Lower-class Americans often blamed immigrants for rising crime rates.
  • Some studies challenged the link between immigrants and crime (e.g., petty theft, burglary not murder as major crimes).

War and Isolationism

  • US involvement in World War I affected immigration policies, with anti-German sentiment rising.
  • Immigrants of German origin faced discrimination.
  • Desire for isolation after WWI, reflected in a push to limit immigration from Europe.
  • Immigrants' contributions to the war effort (e.g., buying Liberty Bonds).

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Related Documents

19th and 20th Century US Immigration PDF

Description

Explore the waves of immigration to America in the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on policies, attitudes, and the societal impact of new immigrant groups. Delve into the shift from an open-door policy to restrictive laws like the Emergency Quota Act of 1921, and understand the rising prejudices during the 1920s.

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