Immigration

• The Open Door Policy

  • Designed to make entry into USA as easy as possible
  • Mass migration was encouraged by the US Government.
• Reasons for emigration to the USA

  • The US economy was booming so factories and farms needed workers.
  • Freedom
  • Escape problems from where they lived
• Opposition to immigration

  • It was thought that immigrants were responsible for crime, drunkenness and prostitution (Xenophobia)
  • Fears of dangerous political beliefs such as communism.
• Emergency Quota Act 1921

  • Reduced the numbers of immigrants from Eastern Europe
• Literacy Test 1917

  • All foreigners had to take a literacy test when wanting to enter USA.
  • Had to prove they could ready a short passage of English.
  • Many people from poorer countries were unable to afford English lessons and failed the test.
  • All immigration from Asia was banned and charged an $8 fee.
• The Red Scare

  • The fear of communism amongst US citizens.
  • Many Americans were convinced that revolutionary ideas were being brought to the USA
  • Americans tended to see Anarchism and Radicalism as branches of communism.
  • When a communist party was formed in USA 1919, many Americans began to fear of a revolution.
• Strikes

  • There were 3600 strikes in 1919
  • Protests against poor working conditions and low pay
  • Strikes looked like the beginnings of a communist revolution.
• Events with Anarchists

  • 1919, there was a series of bombings by extreme anarchist groups.
• What is an Anarchist?

  • Were anti-government in their views and did not respect the rules of law and order.
  • Their aim was to disrupt and destroy the functions of the government.
  • The home of Mitchell Palmer, Head of US department was bombed. (A famous Attack)
• Palmer Raids

  • The public insisted that the attack of Mitchell Palmer was further evidence of a widespread communist plot.
  • The police attacked Socialist parades on May Day 1920 and raided the offices of socialist organisations.
• Result of Palmer Raids

  • Many innocent people were arrested due to dangerous political beliefs.
  • More than 6000 suspected communists were arrested in 36 cities.
  • Several hundred Russian immigrants were sent back on the 'Soviet Ark'.
• Sacco and Vanzetti

  • 5 May 1920, two Italian labourers were arrested and charged with murders of Fred Parmenter.
  • Before his death, he described is attackers as slim foreigners with olive skin.
• Sacco and Vanzetti trial

  • Begin in May 1921 and lasted 45 days.
• Results of their case

  • The jury delivered a guilty verdict
  • Sacco and Vanzetti took their case to appeal in higher courts but failed.
  • The two men were executed on 24 August 1927.
• Evidence against Sacco and Vanzetti:

  • 61 eyewitnesses
  • Vanzetti had been convicted of armed robbery
  • They were both carrying guns that day
  • Evidence matched the pistol that killed the guard with the one carried by sacco.
• Evidence for Sacco and Vanzetti

  • 107 people confirmed the two mens alibi.
  • The evidence about Sacco's gun was believed to be rigged.
• IMPORTANCE OF TRIAL

  • Showed the intolerance of American society
  • The two men were victims of racial discrimination
  • Exposed the unfairness of the American legal system
  • Convicted on flimsy evidence
  • 1970's Governor of Massachusetts granted a formal pardon