For the years 1880 to 1925, analyze both the tensions surrounding the issue of immigration and the United States government’s response to these tensions. Use the following documents and your knowledge of the period from 1880 to 1925 to construct your answer.
During the years 1880 to 1925, the issue of immigration in the United States was a major cause of tension and controversy. This period saw a significant increase in the number of immigrants entering the country, particularly from Southern and Eastern Europe. The United States government responded to these tensions by implementing restrictive immigration policies and enacting laws to regulate and control the influx of immigrants.
Document 1, a political cartoon titled "The American Protective Association" from 1892, reflects the tensions surrounding immigration during this period. It depicts an American worker being shunned and replaced by an immigrant worker, highlighting the fears of native-born Americans that immigrants would take their jobs. This cartoon reflects the sentiment that immigrants were seen as a threat to American workers and their livelihoods.
Document 2, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 is an example of the United States government's response to the tensions surrounding immigration. This act prohibited the entry of Chinese laborers into the country and was the first significant restriction on immigration in American history. It was enacted due to the perceived threat of Chinese immigrants taking jobs away from American workers and the perceived cultural differences between Chinese immigrants and native-born Americans.
Document 3, a quote from Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, in 1924, highlights the tensions surrounding immigration during this period. Gompers argues that unrestricted immigration poses a threat to American workers, as it could lead to the suppression of wages and the deterioration of working conditions. This quote reflects the concerns of many native-born Americans who saw immigrants as competitors in the labor market.
Document 4, the Emergency Quota Act of 1921, and Document 5, the Immigration Act of 1924, illustrate the United States government's response to the tensions surrounding immigration. These acts were passed to regulate and restrict immigration, particularly from Southern and Eastern Europe. The Emergency Quota Act established a quota system based on nationality, limiting the number of immigrants that could enter the country annually. The Immigration Act of 1924 further restricted immigration by lowering the quota and favoring immigrants from Western European countries, while severely limiting immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe.
In summary, the issue of immigration in the United States from 1880 to 1925 was characterized by tensions centering around job competition and cultural differences. The United States government responded to these tensions by implementing restrictive immigration policies, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, and enacting laws like the Emergency Quota Act and the Immigration Act of 1924 to regulate and control the influx of immigrants. These measures aimed to address the concerns of native-born Americans and protect the interests of American workers.