Immigration During 1898-1930
During this time period, immigration grew rapidly throughout America. New immigrants from eastern and southern Europe began to migrate looking for better job opportunities and religious freedom. Since immigration levels were increasing exponentially, Americans created several laws to restrict and even prohibit the immigration of certain races. Americans feared that immigrants would steal American jobs and infiltrate American culture. This hostility or discrimination towards immigrants is known as Nativism, which was a central belief during this time.
Primary Document
The above image or primary document is of a newspaper from February 2, 1917 addressing the Immigration Act passed that year. It specifically mentions to addition of a literacy test to the immigration process. The Immigration Act of 1917 also created an Asiatic Barred Zone, and banned many types of people for unfair or unjust reasons.
This image depicts the rapid increase and decline of immigration during this time. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, immigration, especially from southern and eastern Europe, reached an all time high. However, in 1915, the immigration rates suddenly drop due to the immigration acts being passed at the time.
This is an image of a very common literacy test administered to immigrants and people of color during this time period. The questions would often be impossible to answer for even well-educated Americans. It highlights the discrimination and unjustness of the laws that were passed.
This political cartoon was created to focus around the hypocrisy of Americans, especially those in power. All Americans come from immigrant ancestors. So to discriminate against immigrants and deny them the right to enter the country is extremely hypocritical.