Migration in America LO’s – To better understand the feelings towards ‘new immigrants’ in the 1920’s Practicing exam style questions
Compare Question (Revision) Compare the views of the sources about American attitudes to immigrants in the 1920’s. As soon as the immigrants step off the decks of their ships our problem has begun – Bolshevism, red anarchy, crooks and kidnappers. Thousands come here who never take the oath to support our Constitution and to become citizens of the United States. They do not respect our flag while they live upon the benefits of our own. They are of no service whatever to our people. They constitute a menace and a danger to us everyday. Source A was written by a Senator from Alabama in 1921, He is explaining why he wanted immigration control. It may be asked why, then, did the town take so enthusiastically to the Klan? Many old stock Americans believed they were in danger of being overrun. The ‘foreigners were running out country’; and so anything ‘foreign’ was ‘un-American’ and a menace. Cars were draped with the American flag and some carried homemade signs with Klan slogans such as ‘America for the Americans’. Source B is a description by Robert Coughlan of the growth of support for the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920’s
The Red Scare This was a period of anti-communism in the USA following the Russian revolution in 1917 Fear of communists, socialists and anarchists caused people to be weary of newcomers Economic troubles and workers unrest increased after WW1 Strikes broke out with strikers being branded “Reds”
Palmer Raids A. Mitchell Palmer became the Attorney General in bombs were sent to various politicians and an Italian anarchist (Carlo Valdinoci) blew himself up outside of Palmers home 10,000 suspected communists and anarchists were arrested in deported to Russia 6000 arrested without trial in 1920 Impact– leads to more discrimination of ‘new’ immigrants who were often blamed for crimes and imprisoned without a fair trial
Sacco and Vanzetti Both men were ‘new’ immigrants Anarchists arrested after a robbery of the payroll of a shoe factory in 1920 Witnesses said that the robbers looked Italian Both men had alibis – however they were found guilty and executed in 1927 Issues with the case: No criminal history Both had alibis No eye witness saw robbers properly USA was more segregated and in fear of Communism Men’s beliefs were held against them
Exam Style Question Explain the ways in which America was affected by the ‘Red Scare’ following the First World War. – Make a spider diagram Key Words: Write a definition for each of the following words – Communism Bolshevik Russian Revolution Anarchist
Homework To what extent did attitudes towards new immigrants change in the 1920’s?