Lecture 14: Lodge: Lynch Laws

what happened in New Orleans?

the chief of the police was killed, Italians were arrested and assumed to be part of the mafia- some were acquitted, some had a mistrial, while the rest were awaiting their trial

a mob stormed the jail and lynched those waiting for trial in the street

what belief did the mob have about the judicial process?

they thought the jury was intimidated or bribed

there was intense anxiety surrounding

immigration

what are the two things that set this event off? why did the mob feel justified?

there is a widespread lack of faith in the New Orleans jury system; people believe the courts are compromised

fear of the mafia as an organization and a threat to the fabric of society

the idea of the mafia as a symptom is not just about anti-Italian prejudice, it is about

the anxieties of a society undergoing rapid change

true or false: the lynching in New Orleans was due to anti-Italian rhetoric

false

how was immigration changing during this time?

the traditional sources of immigration were drying up (less from Western Europe) (the “good” immigrants)

immigrants from southern and eastern Europe were increasing their migration to America (Poland, Russian, Italy, etc)

Lodge sees the “______” of immigration declining

quality

what does Lodge mean by quality?

education, skills, financial resources, and moral character

bird of passage

the idea that Italian immigrants were not planning on staying in the US; they were coming to work, save up money, and then return to Italy

drain on the economy- taking jobs from Americans and sending their money back to Italy- not investing in US society

Lodge believes that Europe is dumping their “undesirables” in America, what does this mean?

he thinks all of the criminals, paupers, and sick people are being sent to the US

what is the solution Lodge pushes for?

wants to restrict immigration; he is worried about unrestricted immigration disrupting the fabric of American society

Lodge argues that if we don’t restrict immigration it will lead to

more violence

what does Lodge think immigration does to wages for Americans?

cheap immigrant labor is driving down wages