1930s California Immigration, Labor Movements, and Political Reforms

Gentlemen's Agreement (1907)

U.S.-Japan deal: limited Japanese labor immigration but allowed wives ("picture brides").

Picture Brides

Japanese women who migrated via arranged marriages with photos; helped form stable farm families.

Alien Land Law (1913, renewed 1920)

Prevented Japanese immigrants (non-citizens) from owning land in CA.

Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson-Reed Act)

Ended all Japanese immigration to the U.S.

James Phelan

CA senator; anti-Japanese leader; pushed slogan "Keep California White."

Hiram Johnson

CA governor/senator; progressive reforms but strongly anti-Japanese.

James Rolph Jr. ("Sunny Jim")

CA governor during early Depression; popular but failed politically; defended San Jose lynching (1933).

San Jose Lynching (1933)

Two kidnappers lynched by mob; Gov. Rolph supported it, damaging his reputation.

Aimee Semple McPherson

Evangelist in Los Angeles; preached and provided charity during Depression.

Francis Townsend / Townsend Plan (1933)

Proposed $200/month pensions for elderly, must be spent immediately.

Filipino Repatriation Act (1935)

Encouraged Filipinos to return home by paying travel costs; barred return to U.S.

Mexican Repatriation (1930s)

75,000-100,000 deported from CA (many U.S. citizens) during Depression.

CAWIU (Cannery and Agricultural Workers' Industrial Union)

Communist-led union; organized strikes among farmworkers in 1930s.

San Francisco General Strike (1934)

Massive port strike led by Harry Bridges; "Bloody Thursday" (2 killed, 64 injured).

Harry Bridges

Australian-born longshoremen union leader; accused of Communism, led 1934 SF strike.

Upton Sinclair

Socialist author of The Jungle; ran for CA governor in 1934 with EPIC plan.

EPIC (End Poverty in California)

Sinclair's plan: cooperative farms, social welfare; nearly won in 1934 election but defeated.

Ham 'n' Eggs Plan (1938)

Proposed $30/week pensions for elderly; failed but gained huge support.

Culbert Olson

First Democrat elected CA governor in 20th century (1938); supported New Deal reforms.

Associated Farmers of California

Powerful agribusiness coalition; violently suppressed farmworker strikes in 1930s.

Salinas Lettuce Strike (1936)

Major strike by lettuce workers; crushed by vigilantes backed by Associated Farmers.

Carey McWilliams

Author of Factories in the Field; exposed abuses of CA farm labor system.

John Steinbeck

Wrote The Grapes of Wrath (1939); depicted Dust Bowl migrants' hardships in CA.

Dust Bowl Migration (1930s)

Over 100,000 migrants (Okies) moved to CA yearly, swelling farm labor supply.

La Follette Committee (1939-40)

U.S. Senate hearings investigated CA labor rights violations; reforms proposed but not enacted.