How were immigrants treated in 1920s America?
- Immigrant - a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country
How were immigrants were typically treated in America and what laws were passed to prevent immigration?
- When immigrants arrived at Ellis Island, New York they would be registered there
- They would arrive by boats from Europe and Asia
- If their application was approved, they would be transported to the mainland USA, otherwise they could be imprisoned on Ellis Island or sent home
- Imports and exports of goods would be frequently checked there
- The jobs they had were usually poorly paid, menial labour jobs
- They normally lived in poor, overcrowded cities and sometimes segregated from those of American nationality
- Three laws that were introduced were:
- Immigration Quota Act of 1921:
- New immigrants were allowed in proportion to the number of people of the same nationally who had been in America in 1910
- The figure was set at 3%
- Nationality Origins Act of 1924:
- Figure is reduced to 2% of the 1890 census
- Since there had been more people from Northern Europe, e.g., English and Irish in America 1890, more of these groups were allowed to enter the US
- 1929
- Only 150,000 immigrants per year were allowed in
- There were to be no Asians at all
- Northern and Western Europeans were to be allocated 85% of the places
- By 1930, immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, Japan and China had virtually stopped
Immigration in the 1920s: The Red Scare
What event marked the end of WW1?
- Armistice was signed and damage payments needed to be paid to the allies
- Unemployment surged
- Inflation made the cost of living 99% higher
- Struggle between workers and management
Who led the 1917 revolution in Russia
- Leon Trotsky
- Vladmir Lenin
What was the main reason for the Seattle strike in 1919?
- 60,000 workers go on strike
- Strikers were labeled as "Reds" trying to intercept America
What was the outcome of the Seattle strike?
- Hansen sent 3,000 policemen and federal troops to break the strike
- Was effective, but led to a series of revolutionary violent strikes
Who was targetted by mail bombs sent in April 1919?
What was the purpose of the Palmer Raids?
- To allow the deportation of innocent undesirables
- To remove the threat from the "Reds" who were seen to be as radical
What was the major criticism of the Palmer Raids?
- Never had a legitimate warrants to raid which made people feel these were unjustified
Who was deported on the Soviet Ark?
What was the result of the May Day conspiracy in 1920?
- Palmer's role as "red hunter" was dismissed as no protests took place despite his fears