Immigration is a serious issue that has occupied the minds of many government officials throughout US history. Lately we notice that it has surfaced again and it has become a key issue for the Presidential candidates in the on coming elections. I will focus on some of the tensions that have been present in the past and that have influenced or changed America. I have noticed in the presented documents that society in the period 1880-1925 was split between those who favored the flow of new immigrants and those who opposed it. The tensions vary between those related to racial issues and those questioning the effect of the influx of immigrants on the job market and the social stability and integrity.
One particular tension that has been present during the specified time is the racial difference between the people and the common believe that somehow the Anglo-Saxon white people were superior to those of other color or ethnic background. The difference between the white and non-white Americans have always been the center of discussions and the core of many social problems. In “The Passing of the Great Race” by Madison Grant we notice how explicit and open this question was at that time. The “superior” Nordic race is accounted for great “leadership, courage, for loyalty, for unity”, those attributes to a healthy and successful society. Based on Mr. Grant’s words we should believe that only the white Anglo-Saxons are responsible for the greatness of this nation. Of course this perception faced its opponents of the time. The tensions between the supporters of this theory and those who opposed it triggered events that shaped the future of the American society. In his speech Booker T. Washington presents the opposite of this theory of superiority. He calls for equality, understanding and appreciation of the black race and the achievements that have brought up the “progress of the South”.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, immigration to the United States was wrought with challenges. The newly arriving aliens were met with racist native-borns who feared that they would threaten their way of life. This tension between these new groups facilitated the U.S. government’s anti-immigration laws, which also caused political outbursts from those who supported immigrants.…
- 519 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
The Passing of the Great Race by Madison Grant promoted the idea that the Anglo Saxon race was the prime race and that…
- 532 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
This position is appealing to me because it’s a good opportunity for me to satisfy my interests in practicing researches and analysis in discovering the essential under the events and phenomenon, and a good stage to exert my analytical and researching skills. Besides my personal interests, I deeply understand the difficulties for students living in poor communities to apply for the colleges and really get the admission as a new emigrant. Therefore, I’m expected a chance to serve in an organization which is focusing on helping students from the low-income families to get the educational…
- 96 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
The United States has become known as a melting pot of many different cultures through immigration, but immigration has not always been looked upon in a lighthearted manner.In fact, during the years between 1880 and 1925, immigration created tensions and was frowned upon for multiple reasons. These included large influxes of immigrants getting opportunities before native born people could, the possibility of the government being spied on by people from axis powers. However, to every negative impact there is a positive, and although many people were opposed to massive immigration, others supported temporary immigration for several reasons.…
- 439 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Post Civil War up to the beginning of WWI was one of the most significant time periods for immigration here in the United States. From 1865 through 1920 an unprecedented and diverse stream of immigrants arrived in the United States, 27.5 million in total, In all, 24.4 million came from Europe. Immigrants were pushed out of their homelands by poverty or religious threats, and pulled to America by jobs, farmland, and family connections. They found economic opportunity in factories, mines, and construction sites, and found farm opportunities in the Plains states. Debates over immigration dominate today’s newspaper headlines and political campaigns. These debates may be new in some of their…
- 2333 Words
- 10 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Immigration jumped from a low of 3.5 million in 1890 to a high of 9 million in the first decade of the new century. Immigrants went on a journey to America due to escaping religious, racial and political persecution or seeking relief from a lack of economic opportunity or famine pushing many immigrants out of their homelands. Hungarians, Poles, Slovaks, Bohemians and Italians went to find work in a new country such as America. However, the vast majority of immigrants crowded into the growing cities, searching for their chance to make a better life for themselves. Staying in America with my family in Europe, outweigh life in America.…
- 558 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
America, “The Land of Opportunity,” attracts many. Individuals that are drawn to America and its benefits include tourists and even illegal immigrants or “Undocumented Immigrants.” Immigration refers to the act of journeying to a country with the intent to stay permanently. The United States offers legal admission but the process can often prove to be tedious and cumbersome. In an attempt to bypass the U.S. legal system, individuals may resort to unlawful access to the country. Immigration should be encouraged because diversity makes for a stronger, more unique country, but it should not be done so in an unlawful and inappropriate manner including one that hinders Americanism.…
- 645 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Without a doubt, illegal immigration in the United States has become a controversial issue. We hear about it constantly in the media, especially with this upcoming election. Across the country every citizen seems to have an opinion on the disputed issue. I believe as a nation we should deport illegal immigrants because not only are they are depleting funds of social services, but also putting companies at risk, and sending American money out of the country. Overall, it is clear that the economy would benefit from deporting undocumented labors.…
- 675 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Immigration from Mexico to America from the 1900s-1920s is recorded to be the highest number of Mexican immigrant and American born Mexican in the state of Texas in 20 years period. The number of Native Americans began to decrease, following the decrease of Chinese and Japanese labor work. California depended on these people for labor work, but as numbers began to decrease they needed other people to take over. Which led Railroad networks to hire more Mexicans to take over the work, also agricultural work another reason for Mexicans to flee to America, wherever crops grew, Mexicans followed the work. The second major reason beside economic instability was the political issues what caused a lot of Mexicans to immigrate, when Mexico was seized in power of dictator Porfirio Diaz, a lot of people came as refugees trying to abandon the violence and life of Mexico.…
- 533 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
There are approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States that are spawning from many different countries and continents. (The Washington Post, Jerry Markon) Undocumented immigrants come to America to escape from many different kinds of mistreatment from their home country. As an individual moves they generally become followed by others who encouraged to find a better quality of life. However, as they arrive numerous immigrants feel as if they’re being burdensome, unappreciated, unintelligent, and at wrong for everything due to the language barrier. The journey is very difficult, however going through the worse stages to find a superior quality for your family is everything. Obtaining a citizenship is a strenuous process and difficult to attain because of raising standards, language and education barriers, along with the fear of the United States government and society projecting bias…
- 1331 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
Some of the most influential entrepreneurs are immigrants. Based on INC. by Adam Bluestein, Derek Cha, who had arrived in America when he was 12 years old with his parents and three siblings. Derek and his family had immigrated due to poop poverty in their home country, South Korea. Derek’s parents worked as dishwasher, janitor and etc. At age 16, Derek started his first job, working at a McDonald's restaurant. Now at age 49, Derek is the owner of the 350-store chain of Sweetfrog, which has more than $34 million in revenue. It had opened jobs for almost 800 people and still growing. This is one of many stories of immigrants who arrive in America for good reasons and help boost the American economy by opening up businesses and providing jobs…
- 803 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The United States is known as the Melting Pot because is full of people who have immigrated from other countries. Many immigrants come to America seeking a better life. When immigrants want to enter the U.S. they must go through a certain called the immigration process. They must pass the immigration process to enter the country. There is one place where typically, immigrants come to. This place is called Ellis Island. All immigrants have very different reasons to come, experiences, and struggles they face when they arrive in America.…
- 770 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
What could or would happen if we didn’t have illegal Mexican immigrants? Let’s take a moment to realize how this happened and what caused this to happen. According to the article Mexican Immigrants In The United States, Mexican immigration began during the year of 1900 and it soon became a big deal. Mexican immigrants came to the United States which means that the U.S. is mainly affected by Mexican immigration. Illegal Mexican Immigration is the most discussed topic today and that is why I decided to talk about it.…
- 1033 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
The occurrence of undocumented or illegal immigration and immigration policy reform is a highly contested issue in the United States today. The US Census Bureau surveyed in 2010 that there were over 309 million people in the United States. The numbers of immigrants were surveyed to be about 40 million and it is estimated that about 11 million undocumented immigrants are in this country. The population of immigrants in California is the largest in the nation, with over twenty-five percent of all immigrants living here. While being registered as an Independent and primarily voting as a Republican, I have been against…
- 1833 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays -
Immigration in the United States is a complex demographic activity that has been a major contribution to population growth and cultural change throughout much of the nation's history. The many aspects of immigration have controversy in economic benefits, jobs for non-immigrants, settlement patterns, crime, and even voting behavior. Congress has passed many laws that have to do with immigrants especially in the 19th century such as the Naturalization Act of 1870, and the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, or even the Immigration Act of 1903 all to insure specific laws and boundaries set on immigrants. The life of immigrants has been drastically changed throughout the years of 1880-1925 through aspects such as immigrants taking non-immigrants wages and jobs, the filtration process of immigrants into the United States, and lastly, the foreign policies of the immigrants and their allowance into the nation.…
- 645 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays