Bigotry, Eugenics, and the Law that Kept Two Generations of Jews, Italians, and Other Immigrants Out of America

The Immigration Act of 1924

The Immigration Act of 1924 was a watershed moment in American history, restricting immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe and effectively ending the era of mass immigration to the United States. The law established a system of national quotas that limited the number of immigrants who could enter the country from each foreign country to 2% of the number of people from that country who were already living in the United States in 1890. This system heavily favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe, while severely restricting immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe.

The Guarded Gate: Bigotry, Eugenics and the Law That Kept Two Generations of Jews, Italians, and Other European Immigrants Out of America

by Daniel Okrent

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	52595 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	497 pages

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The passage of the Immigration Act of 1924 was the culmination of a long history of anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the United States experienced a wave of immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, including large numbers of Jews, Italians, and other groups. These immigrants were often seen as inferior to native-born Americans, and they were often the targets of discrimination and violence.

The Immigration Act of 1924 was passed with the support of many prominent Americans, including President Calvin Coolidge. Coolidge argued that the law was necessary to protect the "racial integrity" of the United States. He said, "America must be kept American."

The Impact of the Immigration Act of 1924

The Immigration Act of 1924 had a profound impact on immigration to the United States. The law reduced the number of immigrants who could enter the country from Southern and Eastern Europe by 90%. This had a devastating impact on these communities, as many families were separated and many people were unable to come to the United States to join their loved ones.

The Immigration Act of 1924 also had a significant impact on the demographics of the United States. The law led to a decline in the proportion of foreign-born Americans in the population, and it helped to create a more homogeneous American society.

The Role of Bigotry and Eugenics in the Passage of the Immigration Act of 1924

The Immigration Act of 1924 was passed with the support of many prominent Americans, including President Calvin Coolidge. Coolidge argued that the law was necessary to protect the "racial integrity" of the United States. He said, "America must be kept American."

Coolidge's views were shared by many Americans at the time, who believed that immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe were inferior to native-born Americans. These beliefs were often based on racist and eugenicist ideas, which held that certain races and ethnic groups were superior to others.

Eugenics is the belief that the human race can be improved through selective breeding. In the early 20th century, eugenics was a popular idea among many scientists and policymakers. They believed that by preventing the "unfit" from reproducing, they could improve the overall health and intelligence of the human race.

The Immigration Act of 1924 was seen by many as a way to prevent the "unfit" from entering the United States. The law's national quotas were designed to limit the number of immigrants from countries that were seen as having a high proportion of "undesirable" people.

The Legacy of the Immigration Act of 1924

The Immigration Act of 1924 had a profound impact on immigration to the United States. The law reduced the number of immigrants who could enter the country from Southern and Eastern Europe by 90%, and it helped to create a more homogeneous American society.

The law's legacy is still felt today. The national quotas established by the Immigration Act of 1924 were not repealed until 1965, and they continue to have an impact on the demographics of the United States.

The Immigration Act of 1924 is a reminder of the dark history of anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States. The law was passed with the support of many prominent Americans, including President Calvin Coolidge, who believed that immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe were inferior to native-born Americans. The law's passage was also influenced by the popularity of eugenics, the belief that the human race can be improved through selective breeding.

The Immigration Act of 1924 is a reminder that the United States has not always been a welcoming place for immigrants. The law's legacy is still felt today, and it is important to remember the lessons of the past so that we can avoid making the same mistakes in the future.

The Guarded Gate: Bigotry, Eugenics and the Law That Kept Two Generations of Jews, Italians, and Other European Immigrants Out of America

by Daniel Okrent

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	52595 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	497 pages

FREE