

How attitudes in the USA changed towards
immigration
Why attitudes in the USA changed towards
immigration



Fordney-McCumber Act 1921
Designed to protect American industry
Placed a tariff (?) on all manufactured goods
entering the country.





Democratic Pres. Wilson had convinced Congress of the
moral duty of the USA to assist her allies 3 years into
WWI.
Stories of heroism and allied tactical stupidity along with
the casualties of the war shocked the Americans.
There was clear desire to isolate the country from the
rest of the world to ensure they were not dragged into
another “European” war.
The US did not sign up for the League of Nations
Republican Pres. Harding (elected 1920) urged for a
return to “normalcy”.





Many people did not want to enter the war in
Europe.
Many immigrants “sympathised” with their mother
countries.
Anti – German sentiment grew – many German
immigrants supported Germany at the outbreak of
war – split society.
Irish immigrants were viewed with suspicion (?)
Anything foreign was seen as a threat to the US way
of life

Evidence of isolationism
prior to WWI
1.
2.
3.
4.
1884 Immigration
Restriction League
1882 Federal Immigration
Act
Chinese Exclusion Act
1913 Alien Land law
a) 10 year (later extended)
ban on Chinese
immigration
b) 50 cent tax on immigrants
arriving in USA
c) California State law
controlling purchase of
land by Asians
d) Group who campaigned
to stop immigration as it
damaged US society.


In pairs, complete the note taking task on
American isolationism following WWI.
Instructions are on the sheet



High density of immigrants in ghettos in the
cities – a Central/ Eastern European way of life
brought to the USA
Immigrants mainly lived in the cities, therefore
there was increased urbanisation – not seen as
desirable
Cities had high crime rates - immigrants blamed




Italian immigrants convicted
of murder on the flimsiest of
evidence in 1921.
Given the death penalty.
Racist fears over crime
blamed for their conviction
Later proven innocent –
proclaimed by the Governor of
Massachusetts (Michael
Dukakis) in 1977.



Trade Unions were formed but felt undermined by
Polish and Italian workers who were prepared to
work longer, for less.
Strikes of 1919 – immigrants used as “strike
breakers”. People really resented the immigrants.
Although seemingly wealthy – American society was
very divided. Most working class people struggled in
the shadows of the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and
Astors.


Russia became communist and was committed
to spreading it and destroying capitalism.
Culminated in the “Red Summer” of 1919 – a
genuine fear that the Communists were about to
take over!





Mitchell Palmer – Attorney General of the USA
House was blown up
Hoped to become President
Arrested 6,000 socialists and anarchists
Deported hundreds to Russia





Didn’t like the changing nature of the immigrants
Nativism – many imm. Were Jewish or Catholic.
Many WASPs disliked the Catholics
Many imm. Wore traditional dress and followed their
own customs – it looked out of place.
Many race riots (white vs. Black) took place in 1919 –
especially Chicago.
The KKK rose again – capitalising on the anti –
immigrant / Black Am feeling.







You have responsibility for researching one of the
factors that was responsible for causing hostility
towards immigrants to increase during the 1920s
Research and then present your findings to your
classmates
Isolationism
Social fears
Economic Fears
Prejudice and racism
Fear of revolution