A Closing Door to Immigration

 Examine the main reasons why attitudes to immigration began to change.  Identify the main measures which were introduced to control immigration. Aims:

 Until the 1920s the USA had an ‘open door’ policy which meant that almost anyone could enter the USA.  In the 1920s the USA introduced measures to restrict immigration.  However the ‘door’ to the USA was beginning to close before the 1920s. The Land of the Free

A Closing Door to Immigration From 1880s very poor, convicts etc not allowed 1911 Dillingham Commission had introduced literacy tests World War One Split society. German immigrants Supported Germany ‘Red scare’ People concerned about spread of Communism Self-Interest made Americans want to protect jobs Racism and prejudice towards new immigrants

 Many people were concerned about Communist ideas.  Communists believed everyone was equal and everyone should share in the wealth of a country.  Communists argued that violence could be used to overthrow a government and make a country communist.  This had happened in the 1917 Russian Revolution when the country became Communist.  Communist ideas were becoming more popular across Europe. The Red Threat

 Emergency Immigration Act 1921 – limited immigration to 3% of the total number of a particular group (based on 1910 census).  This favoured immigrants from Western Europe e.g. Britain, Ireland, Germany.  1924 Johnson Reed Act – only 150,000 immigrants allowed in each year or 2% of the total number of a particular group.  These restrictions on the number of immigrants were known as ‘ Quotas ’. Immigration Controls

 Read pages 33 and 34 of your work guide.  Answer questions 1-2 at the top of page 35.  Now answer questions 1, 2 and 3 from the bottom of page 35.  Copy the summary note on ‘Immigration Controls’