Why did attitudes change towards Immigrants in America in the 1920’s?

1. Why did attitudes change towards Immigrants in America in the 1920’s?

2. The Open Door Closes • Isolationism • The effects of WWI • Fear of Revolution • Prejudice and Racism • Social Fears • Economic Fears

3. Isolationism • Pre-war Isolationism • Neutrality at the start of WWI • Rejection of the League of Nations and Treaty of Versailles • “Return to Normalcy” Harding

4. Analysis- Isolationism Analysis • Isolationism was a powerful idea – evidence of it prior to WWI (Acts) and after WWI with rejection of League of Nations- Americans elected Harding partly because he wanted to return to pre-war isolationism. • So changing attitudes to immigrants = part of this wider desire to reject European problems associated with immigrants in favour of focusing US issues and US citizens & lead to tightening of immigration laws

5. Analysis Plus • The move to get the USA into the League of Nations was hampered by the illness of President Woodrow Wilson. His illness meant he was not able to travel around the USA promoting membership. So it was less about isolationism and more about the fact that many Americans were not persuaded of the benefit of membership and of continuing their links with Europe.

6. First World War • Divided Loyalties • Tensions between Immigrants and the US government’s decision to join the Allies

7. Analysis Plus • Not all immigrants had divided loyalties – many countries in Europe supported the allies e.g. Italy and many immigrants fought in the US army • Many immigrants bought Liberty bonds to support and help to finance the war effort and were seen to be patriotic

8. Prejudice and racism • WASP culture and power • Hatred of “new immigrants” • Racist sentiments – “America must be kept American” Cal Coolidge • KKK – Birth of a Nation • KKK anti-immigrant feelings – level of support 1924 3 million members

9. Analysis- Racism Analysis • The dominance of WASP culture in the ruling elite of America allowed a racist attitude to pervade politics – The KKK were even able to march through the streets of Washington– it was socially acceptable to have such racist views against black Americans and immigrants. • Nativists and small – town Americans had big political influence. They campaigned to restrict immigration which led to changing attitudes to immigration, and restriction in the 1920s.

10. Analysis Plus • The decline in the membership of the KKK following the scandals surrounding the arrest and conviction of Grand Dragon in Indiana D.C.Stephenson in 1925 on a rape charge reduced the significance of this racist organisation in anti- immigration activities and policy.

11. Social Factors • Melting pot not working- Ghettos • Slums blamed for urban problems • Crime associated with Immigrants - Capone

12. Economic Factors • 4 million demobbed soldiers • 1919 short term depression • Price rises (1914-1919) • Strikes – immigrants as strike breakers

13. Analysis- Economic fears Analysis • The short-term depression at the end of WWI created hostility towards immigrants as they were seen as strike breakers who were “stealing” jobs that should have been available for US citizens & lowering wages and working conditions • De-mobbed soldiers felt that they were competing for jobs ad housing with immigrants and this added to the hatred and resentment felt towards immigrants.

14. Analysis Plus • The jobs taken by immigrants were usually not those wanted by the old immigrants, who were better educated. Immigrants were less likely to move to the USA when there was high unemployment. Large numbers of unskilled workers resulted in employers adopting new technology so this also created unemployment. • Immigrants were also consumers and they increased demand for goods. • Some immigrants set up their own businesses e.g. as bakers, tailors. The number of Jews in business = 3x above the national average for ethnic groups. Thus they were not taking jobs away from others.

15. Fear of Revolution-Red Scare • Russian Revolution 1917 • Communist parties in USA 1919 • Strikes • Palmer Raids

16. Analysis- Red Scare Analysis • The combination of the Russian revolution and the formation of Communist Parties in the USA created a climate of fear that capitalism and the American way of life were begin threatened by eastern European immigrants bringing the contamination of communism • This was amplified by the Red Scare and the panic spread by the Palmer Raids of 1920

17. Analysis Plus • It is reckoned that only about 0.1% of the population was communist or anarchists. One journalist wrote that they were “about as dangerous as a flea on an elephant”. • The Palmer Raids saw 4,000 arrested in 30 cities across America. 556 were deported. However most were not Communist supporters. Fear of communism was used as an excuse to attack any group they attacked or distrusted. • People lost faith in Palmer after he warned of a violent May Day demonstration, organised troops and police but the riot did not happen.

18. Historian's views A+ • Historians are divided about how important the Red Scare was: “short-lived and all but over by the summer of 1920” (Kerr) “The Red Scare at the end of World War One led to a wave of…immigration restriction.” (Tindall and Shi)

19. Extended response titles To what extent was the increase in hostility towards immigrants in the USA during the 1920’s due to fear of revolution? (2009) 20 marks To what extent was racism the main reason for changing attitudes towards immigration in the 1920’s? (2011) 20 marks To what extent did the policy of Isolationism explain changing attitudes towards immigration in the USA during the 1920s? (Specimen paper 2014) 20 marks