Immigrants 1920s

How many immigrants arrived into America by 1920

40 million

Who were WASPs

Immigrants who came to America before 1890 and were from European counties that were well educated,skilled workers.

What did many Americans disapprove of these new immigrants

-‘New’ immigrants were often poor,unskilled workers with littile education. Some Americans believed they wouldn’t be able to contribute to society

-Others worried that too much cheap immigrant labour would create competition for jobs and cause wages to fall

-There was fears that some immigrants were communist who wanted to undermine America life. The xenophobia increased when the Red scarce got worse in 1919

-Immigrants were blamed for social issues such as crime,alcoholism and the spread of diseases

What were the immigrant experience

-Employers exploited immigrants, expecting them to work long hours for little pay.Working conditions were really poor

-Immigrants could only afford housing in the poorest parts of the city, where conditions were often cramped and dirty

What Restrictions were imposed by government to restrict immigration

1917 literary act-Immigrants were required to pass a literacy test in order to enter USA. This favoured educated immigrants who came from Western European countries.

1921 Emergency Quota Act-It introduced a Quota system that allows only 350,000 to enter each year

-1924 Johnson-Reed Act-Put more limits on immigrants which made it harder for Africans,Arabs and eastern and Western Europeans to enter. It was passed due to fear of foreigners and racism. It excluded certain races.

What was Americas Open Door policy

USA had a policy to encourage immigration