A-level History, Paper 1 - Topic 3B The impact of immigration, 1917–80

Why has the USA often been described as a ‘melting pot’?

The USA was described as a ‘melting pot’ because it contained people from a huge variety of nationalities and ethnic backgrounds who settled in America and gradually became part of American society.

• Between 1900 and 1920, over 14 million immigrants arrived.

• By 1920, the US population had grown to over 106 million.

What was the difference between ‘Old Immigration’ and ‘New Immigration’?

Old Immigration (1820s–1880s):

• Mainly from Northern and Western Europe.

• Countries included Britain, Germany and Scandinavia.

• Mostly Protestant.

• Their descendants became known as WASPs (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants).

New Immigration (1880–1920):

• Mainly from Southern and Eastern Europe.

• Countries included Italy, Poland and Russia.

• Many were Catholics or Jews.

• Many were poor, unskilled and illiterate.

• They often spoke little English and lived in separate ethnic communities.

Why did immigrants come to America before the 1920s?

Immigrants were attracted by:

• Better job opportunities.

• Higher wages.

• Political and religious freedom.

• Escape from persecution, poverty and revolution.

• The hope of achieving the American Dream.

Why Did Attitudes to Immigration Change in the 1920s?

Racism, Prejudice and Nativism

What was nativism?

Nativism was the belief that native-born Americans were superior to immigrants and that immigration threatened the American way of life.

Nativists:

• Wanted immigration restrictions.

• Supported ‘100% Americanism’.

• Believed immigrants were an ‘alien menace’.

• Wanted to preserve racial and cultural ‘purity’.

• Grew significantly after WW1.

• Led to groups such as the KKK

Why were WASPs hostile to ‘new immigrants’?

WASPs (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) believed that new immigrants:

• Were racially inferior.

• Were Catholic or Jewish rather than Protestant.

• Threatened American traditions.

• Lived differently and spoke foreign languages.

• Took jobs and housing.

• Were linked to crime and radical politics.

How did World War I change attitudes to immigration?

World War I increased the suspicion of immigrants because:

• Americans feared divided loyalties.

• Foreign cultures became associated with disloyalty.

• Patriotism became linked to ‘100% Americanism’.

• The war encouraged isolationism

How were German-Americans treated during World War I?

German-Americans faced severe discrimination.

• Around 8 million German-Americans lived in the USA in 1917.

• Many were accused of supporting the Kaiser.

• Some were beaten, tarred and feathered.

Why did World War I encourage isolationism?

Many Americans believed involvement in World War I had been costly and unnecessary.

• 117,465 Americans died.

• 205,690 were wounded.

• Americans wanted to avoid European affairs.

• The USA refused to join the League of Nations.

Why was the Emergency Immigration Act passed in 1921?

The Act was passed because:

• Immigration levels surged after WWI.

• Between June 1919 and June 1921, over 800,000 immigrants entered the USA.

• Around 65% came from Southern and Eastern Europe.

• Ellis Island became overcrowded.

It limited immigration to around 350,000 people per year. 3% of of people from each country already living in the USA.

• Favoured Northern and Western Europeans.

What did the Johnson-Reed Act (1924) do?

The 1924 Act further restricted immigration.

• Reduced quotas to 2%.

• Set a maximum of 150,000 immigrants per year.

• Banned most Asian immigration.

Where did immigrants mainly settle and why?

Immigrants mainly settled in:

• New York

• Chicago

• Boston

• Pittsburgh

They formed ethnic enclaves such as:

• Little Italy

• Chinatown

• Irishtown

What were living conditions like for many immigrants?

Many immigrants lived in overcrowded ghettos.

Conditions included:

• Whole families of 10–12 people in one room.

• Poor sanitation.

• Damp and dark housing.

• No drains or clean water.

Why were immigrants associated with crime?

Immigrants were often blamed for rising urban crime.

• Italian immigrants were linked to the Mafia.

• Gangsters such as Al Capone reinforced stereotypes.

• Newspapers exaggerated immigrant criminality.

Why did economic competition increase hostility to immigrants after World War I?

After WWI:

• Wartime industries declined.

• Unemployment rose from 5.2% to 11.7% by 1921.

• Returning soldiers needed jobs.

• Immigrants were blamed because they accepted lower wages and worked long hours

How did the Great Depression affect immigrants?

The Depression increased hostility towards immigrants because jobs became scarce.

• About 400,000 Mexicans were deported.

• White workers demanded preference for jobs.

• The foreign-born population fell from 14% in 1920 to 9% by 1940.

How were Japanese-Americans treated during World War II?

After Pearl Harbour in 1941:

• Japanese-Americans were viewed as security threats.

• Around 120,000 Japanese-Americans were put in internment camps.

How did World War II change attitudes towards immigrants?

WWII helped reduce nativism because:

• Americans of different backgrounds fought together.

• Around 27 million Americans moved for wartime work or military service.

• Greater ethnic mixing encouraged toleranc

What was the Bracero Programme?

The Bracero Programme (1942–1964):

• Allowed Mexican labourers to work temporarily in the USA.

• Mainly supported agriculture in Texas and California.

• Around 4.6 million Mexicans entered under the programme.

What did the Immigration and Nationality Act (1952) do?

The 1952 Act:

• Kept the quota system from 1924.

• Continued to favour Northern and Western Europeans.

• Ended the total ban on Asian immigration.

What was Operation Wetback?

Operation Wetback was launched in 1954 to deport illegal Mexican immigrants.

Over 3.8 million people were deported.

The USA accepted refugees fleeing communism to demonstrate opposition to the Soviet Union.

• 200,000 Cubans entered between 1959–1962.

• 40,000 Hungarian refugees were accepted in 1956.

• 130,000 Vietnamese refugees arrived after 1975.

Why was the Immigration and Nationality Act (1965) significant?

It:

• Abolished the national origins quota system.

• Prioritised family reunification.

• Encouraged skilled immigration.

Why did illegal immigration become a major issue by the 1970s?

Illegal immigration increased because:

• Labour demand remained high.

• Border controls were difficult to enforce.

• Wage differences between the USA and Mexico were large.

• Around 60,000 Mexicans per year entered illegally during the 1970s.

Why did many Americans oppose illegal immigration?

Critics argued illegal immigration:

• Lowered wages.

• Increased competition for jobs.

• Put pressure on services.