immigration

• Earlier waves of immigration at the start of 20th century

  'Open door' policy

  Statue of Liberty poem welcomed immigrants

  1882 South Eastern immigrants numbered 13% then increased to 81% by 1907

  Fears spread due to cultural differences spreading
• Effect of immigration in 1920s

  Creation of ethnic enclaves in urban areas

  Competition over jobs, housing and facilities of all kinds

  Number of people with a foreign born parent rose from 74% to 85% between 1910 - 1920

  36% of NYC population were foreign born in 1920
• To what extent did immigration change urban life 1919-41


  Immigrants settled in large numbers in towns/cities with people from their own origins

  1,300 foreign language newspapers in 1914

  'Little Italy' and 'China Town'
• Why was America called a melting pot?

  Idea that everyone becomes American over time but held onto diverse heritages of their own
• Bottom of the heap

  Newly arrived immigrants had worst jobs, lowest wages and worst living conditions.
• WWII impacts on immigrants

  120,000 Japanese interned in concentration camps

  Anti Japanese, Italian and German sentiments common throughout war era.

  Discrimination and hostility
• Explain how attitudes to immigration changed

  In post war era, more humanitarian focusing on refugees

  However, quotas were maintained until they were abolished in 1965 immigration Act

  Cuban Adjustment Act 1966 targets Cuban refugees and later Vietnam
• Views on illegal immigration

  Largest number from Mexico

  60,000 a year in 1970s

  Illegal immigration common to support agriculture in South West

  Operation Wetback deported illegal immigrants 1950s

  Bracero Programme encouraged legal Mexican immigration to support worker shortages
• To what extent did attitudes to immigration change

  Shifted with Gov policy (republicans vs democrats)

  Immigrants were blamed when economy was bad

  From 1980s onwards there was a desire to control immigration due to bad stereotypes
• What was the outcome of Dillingham Commission

  1911 report stated that immigration posed a serious threat to society and culture

  Range from S/E Europe classified as racially inferior
• Important Acts

  • 1917 Immigration Act = Undesirables highlighted
  • 1921 Emergency Quota Act = Restricts immigrant numbers to 3%
  • 1924 National Origins Act + Johnson Reed Act = Reduces number to 2%
  • 1929 National Origins Formula = Bans Asian immigration and up