2. USA seen as land of prosperity, opportunity & freedom.
Why did Americans want to stop immigration?
1. Trade Unions: Feared immigrants would work for lower wages, taking jobs.
2. Racism, Nativism & Eugenics: s feared racial 'dilution'; eugenicist Madison Grant claimed northern Europeans superior. Racial Integrity Act (1924) set a , defining anyone with even one drop of non-white ancestry as ‘colored.’
3. Isolationism: After WWI, desire to return to : that the USA avoid European affairs.
4. 'Alien Menace': Red Scare after 1919 targeted Italian immigrants as anarchists/communists. Immigrant gangs like the Mafia, Tong & Detroit heightened fears (eg ‘Lucky’ Luciano, Al Capone).
5. 'Different': Post-1890 immigrants (Eastern Europe/Asia) often poor, illiterate, non-English speakers, creating ethnic enclaves that increased cultural separation and prejudice.
∵ of growing demand to restrict immigration (eg , 1894):
1. 1917 Immigration Law: Required English literacy, imposed $8 fee & banned all immigration from .
2. 1921 Emergency Quota Act: Limited immigrants to 3% of the 1910 population, capped total at 357k/year.
3. 1924 Reed-Johnson Act: Reduced cap to 154k/year. Eastern Hemisphere immigrants limited to 2% of 1890 numbers, with Southern/Eastern Europe capped at 20k a year & non-Europeans at 4k a year.
The Experience of Immigrants
1. Arrival
a. Most (70%) landed at :
• Medical tests; diseased deported or detained.
• Literacy tests & financial checks – some detained until relatives sent money.
• Single women held until family collected them to prevent prostitution.
2. Reduced Work Opportunities
a. Immigrants took hard, low-paying jobs Americans wouldn’t do. Employers exploited their vulnerability.
b. Many worked hard to improve their children's prospects (eg via education).
3. Conditions & Communities
a. Immigrants settled in cities:
• Overcrowded, unsanitary housing → slums.
• developed (eg, Little Italy, Chinatown) = maintained culture & community.
b. Limited healthcare/services. Settlement houses like provided education, medical & legal aid.
4. Americanisation
a. Programs aimed at integrating immigrants:
• Federal Bureau of Naturalization organized rallies & 4th July events.
• Citizenship preparation courses by Federal Bureau of Education.
b. Public schools taught immigrant children English & American customs.
c. Immigrants enriched US culture (eg, music, cuisine, arts).
5. Discrimination
a. Anti-immigrant sentiment led to:
• Laws (eg, ) barred citizenship/voting for second-wave immigrants.
• Housing rules excluded immigrants from certain areas.
• Negative portrayals in media.
b. Red Scare disproportionately targeted immigrants.
6. Engagement
a. Many immigrants joined trade unions to fight for better wages & conditions.
b. Some became political leaders/activists (eg, , Emma Goldman, Rose Schneiderman).
Why did people emigrate to the USA?
1. Escaping poverty, persecution/discrimination.
2. USA seen as land of prosperity, opportunity & freedom.
Why did Americans want to stop immigration?
1. Trade Unions: Feared immigrants would work for lower wages, taking jobs.
2. Racism, Nativism & Eugenics: WASPs feared racial 'dilution'; eugenicist Madison Grant claimed northern Europeans superior. Racial Integrity Act (1924) set a ONE-DROP RULE, defining anyone with even one drop of non-white ancestry as ‘colored.’
3. Isolationism: After WWI, desire to return to MONROE DOCTRINE: that the USA avoid European affairs.
4. 'Alien Menace': Red Scare after 1919 targeted Italian immigrants as anarchists/communists. Immigrant gangs like the Mafia, Tong & Detroit PURPLE GANG heightened fears (eg ‘Lucky’ Luciano, Al Capone).
5. 'Different': Post-1890 immigrants (Eastern Europe/Asia) often poor, illiterate, non-English speakers, creating ethnic enclaves that increased cultural separation and prejudice.
∵ of growing demand to restrict immigration (eg IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION LEAGUE, 1894):
1. 1917 Immigration Law: Required English literacy, imposed $8 fee & banned all immigration from ASIA.
2. 1921 Emergency Quota Act: Limited immigrants to 3% of the 1910 population, capped total at 357k/year.
3. 1924 Reed-Johnson Act: Reduced cap to 154k/year. Eastern Hemisphere immigrants limited to 2% of 1890 numbers, with Southern/Eastern Europe capped at 20k a year & non-Europeans at 4k a year.
The Experience of Immigrants
1. Arrival
a. Most (70%) landed at ELLIS ISLAND:
• Medical tests; diseased deported or detained.
• Literacy tests & financial checks – some detained until relatives sent money.
• Single women held until family collected them to prevent prostitution.
2. Reduced Work Opportunities
a. Immigrants took hard, low-paying jobs Americans wouldn’t do. Employers exploited their vulnerability.
b. Many worked hard to improve their children's prospects (eg via education).
3. Conditions & Communities
a. Immigrants settled in cities:
• Overcrowded, unsanitary housing → slums.
• ETHNIC ENCLAVES developed (eg, Little Italy, Chinatown) = maintained culture & community.
b. Limited healthcare/services. Settlement houses like HULL HOUSE provided education, medical & legal aid.
4. Americanisation
a. Programs aimed at integrating immigrants:
• Federal Bureau of Naturalization organized AMERICANIZATION DAY rallies & 4th July events.
• Citizenship preparation courses by Federal Bureau of Education.
b. Public schools taught immigrant children English & American customs.
c. Immigrants enriched US culture (eg, music, cuisine, arts).
5. Discrimination
a. Anti-immigrant sentiment led to:
• Laws (eg, NATURALIZATION ACT) barred citizenship/voting for second-wave immigrants.
