Directions:
1) Actively read the Prohibition source located at the link below. Summarize the article and explain how Prohibition (the 18th Amendment) was a related to immigration and nativism in the 1920s.
Prohibition Period: 1920s from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=441
2A. Read the two or more of the Reader’s Immigration Stories collected by New York Times reporter Julia Preston at : http://news.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/share-your-immigration-story/index.html
OR
2B. Read a recent summary of immigration policy published by the New York Times.
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/i/immigration_and_refugees/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier
3. Consider these stories/ articles and what you know about immigration policy in the U.S. throughout history and today. Answer the framing question:
How has US immigration policy changed over time? Does immigration policy reflect or disregard the needs of society and/or immigrant groups in modern day society?
Use specific examples from the articles to support your answer.
Your blog must be at least 200 words.
Respond to at least one other post.
Due Saturday 4/19.
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FYI- There will also be a blog to complete over break that will be due Sunday 4/25!
Any student interested in blog extra credit may complete steps 2 A and B.
Extra credit project over break: complete a 2-3 page research paper on an artist, poet, entertainer, sports figure, politician, or organized crime leader of the Roaring Twenties and/or Harlem Renaissance. Must include 2 research sources in MLA format.
1) Actively read the Prohibition source located at the link below. Summarize the article and explain how Prohibition (the 18th Amendment) was a related to immigration and nativism in the 1920s.
Prohibition Period: 1920s from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=441
2A. Read the two or more of the Reader’s Immigration Stories collected by New York Times reporter Julia Preston at : http://news.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/share-your-immigration-story/index.html
OR
2B. Read a recent summary of immigration policy published by the New York Times.
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/i/immigration_and_refugees/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier
3. Consider these stories/ articles and what you know about immigration policy in the U.S. throughout history and today. Answer the framing question:
How has US immigration policy changed over time? Does immigration policy reflect or disregard the needs of society and/or immigrant groups in modern day society?
Use specific examples from the articles to support your answer.
Your blog must be at least 200 words.
Respond to at least one other post.
Due Saturday 4/19.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FYI- There will also be a blog to complete over break that will be due Sunday 4/25!
Any student interested in blog extra credit may complete steps 2 A and B.
Extra credit project over break: complete a 2-3 page research paper on an artist, poet, entertainer, sports figure, politician, or organized crime leader of the Roaring Twenties and/or Harlem Renaissance. Must include 2 research sources in MLA format.
22 comments:
Shaun Quinto
By 1916, nineteen states already banned the use or sale of alcohol. The nationwide ban was just waiting to happen. With the support of so many people and groups, including the Anti-Saloon League and the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the country started to link the problem of alcohol with many other problems going on in the country. We were in the midst of WWI, and Wilson made the 18th Amendment (Prohibition) seem patriotic, due to the fact Germany was the biggest importer of beer. We were boycotting their beer, and they would lose money. The grain used to make the beer could be used to make wartime goods, like bread for our soldiers. The ban only had about $5 million in funds, but needed an estimated $300 million. The positives were the fact that by 1921 alcohol related deaths dropped by 80%. Negatively, this created a huge international and local crime by selling and buying alcohol. In response to the poor response to the 18th Amendment, the 21st Amendment in 1933 repealed the prohibition of alcohol. Prohibition was directly related to immigration during the 1920s. During prohibition the US Presidents, Harding and Coolidge, promoted restrictions on immigration. Immigrants have done enough damage to our nation, so the presidents decided to restrict them. Today, immigrants are legal immigrants are limited. If they can fill a job that would otherwise be unfulfilled, they can enter the country to work. Also, we are looking to deport all illegal immigrants, especially those that passed the Mexican border. US immigration policies have changed and will continue to change. The needs of the current situation will be reflected in each new act passed on immigration. IF there are too many immigrants there will be a set quota. If there is a shortage in the work force, we will start to encourage immigration to the US.
In response to John Harden, I would like to first say I find it offense being called middle class history students. I have lost all respect for you man. You think you’re better now because you are in AP. Listen, don’t try to cover it up by apologizing that won’t work. Anyway, immigrants aren’t taking our jobs and creating more competition. When was the last time you saw an illegal immigrant in college competing for an office job. They are taking the jobs that we don’t have enough interest in. And, according to President Bush’s 2003 immigration laws, they can only take the jobs that have no competition, because we can’t find enough people to fill those spots.
"In response to John Harden, I would like to first say I find it offense being called middle class history students. I have lost all respect for you man. You think you’re better now because you are in AP. Listen, don’t try to cover it up by apologizing that won’t work. Anyway, immigrants aren’t taking our jobs and creating more competition. When was the last time you saw an illegal immigrant in college competing for an office job. They are taking the jobs that we don’t have enough interest in. And, according to President Bush’s 2003 immigration laws, they can only take the jobs that have no competition, because we can’t find enough people to fill those spots."
In response to Shaun Quinto
A. You all know its a joke and that I respect you just as much as I respect any other history students...:D
B. Immigrants, espically illegal one's are taking blue collar jobs which do not require an education. I never stated that they were taking white collar jobs which YOU are interested in. For someone to come to this country illegally, avoid taxes all while taking a job which could go to someone who is paying taxes and needs it is outright disgusting. I was only stating my opinion on illegal immigrants and have nothing wrong with immigrants who came here by legal ways. My best friend is a 1st generation Romanian immmigrant, I beleive that is enough said on my part.
C. Also, when stating your side in arguement, don't frequently use we, how do you know that a member of our school community does not wish to attend college? How do you know that a member of our school community wants to work a McDonalds instead of at a law office?
Ms Francis do I get double extra credit for starting a debate on the blog? If so, does that extra credit get added to the original extra credit in an exponential form. Such as 100 points of extra credit raised by the power of 100 points?
ROFL!
Shaun Quinto
You are correct John. But you said the illegal immigrants are taking jobs from tax payers in the US. You don't pay taxes in the US unless you are employed and have a financial income. The reason why these illegal immigrants don't have to pay taxes is because their wages are so low. They can't take taxes out of getting paid off the books on five dollars an hour. And me too John, I don't have a problem with legal immigrants like Andrei. They have the same opportunities we do and make the same contributions to society. But my point is that these immigrants aren’t hurting America’s society and economy taking the jobs we don’t want.
John, i believe you are pwned.
Now, to not join the comment conflict:
January 16, 1920 was the day when all alcohol was banned from the United States. The 18th ammendment had finally come forth. Most of the country had already banned alcohol, but soon it became a national ban. Alcohol had been associated with many negative aspects such as wifre beating and even poor productivity in the work place. Also, many Americans were in favor of the ban because it would financially hurt Germany, one of the world's largest alcohol traders. Germany had been the enemy of the U.S. in WWI, so the battle was being fought with economics, now, and not guns. Immigration was still a problem for the U.S. Despite the fact that deaths due to alcohol decreased dramatically, Americans still wanted their beer. Illegal trade of alcohol thrived! And due to this, immigration was restricted. Poor people were gaining alot of wealth due to the illegal activities, and immigrants were majority. Many immigrants trying to make a new life in America, were sent home because of the law breakers. In 1933, the U.S. allowed alcohol to be sold again, the 21st ammendment.
P.S. I am also offended by your "middle-class history students" comment, John Harden!
LOL I do not know why people are offended by the joke I made. Even if I was serious by the comment.... who said the middle class was a bad thing. Anyone who knows of my political stances know that I think the middle class is one of the greatest things in the history of the United States of America. The middle class brings equilbrium to American society, economically and culturally and the middle class were one of the leading factors that allowed consumerism to form in the 1920s. Also, I never refered to myself as a higher history student. So, you should take the statement as a compliment....
John Harden
Block B
2008-04-17
The United States immigration policy, since the establishment of the thirteen colonies as an individual nation, has been ever changing. The American government has passed laws regarding immigration for quite sometime. These laws include the Immigration Acts of 1921 and 1924 which set quotas on how many immigrants of specific ethnicities could migrate to America per year. Other laws were harsher, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred Chinese citizens from moving to the “land of opportunity”. The Chinese Exclusion Act was accepted by many west coast miners and laborers, as the Chinese only presented more competition for employment. The Immigration Act of 1924 specifically targeted Southern and Eastern European immigrants, because these areas were thought to have produced many socialist ideologies and citizens. During the 1920’s the conservative American government opposed socialism, fearing that even the slightest movement could usurp the Capitalist values of the United States and replace them with more Communist motives. This movement against Socialism in America was known as the first Red Scare and lasted till the late 1920s until being overridden in importance by the Great Depression of the 1930s.
During World War I, the Prohibition gained support amongst the more traditionalist classes and sects of society. Seeing as the nefarious enemy of the United States, sovereign Europe and democracy was the “evil” Imperial Germany Empire, German culture and German-Americans were frowned down upon. Upon entering the war in 1917, the United States looked to eliminate German culture from American society as greatly as possible. Before the United States of America had even joined the allied forces in Europe the Prohibition was gaining supporters because of the generally known evils of alcohol. These include instability within the family, creation of dysfunctional family life and as Henry Ford believed inferior production in the work force. However, the war hit the nail on the head of the proverbial coffin and gave Congress enough reason to ratify the 18th Amendment, banning the sale and consumption of all alcoholic beverages. The reason behind this was that besides wheat and corn, Germany’s main export was beer, in both culture and economical terms. A banishment of something so important to German culture would very well raise feelings of nationalism among the populous living in American cities. German-Americans may have gone as far as assimilating with mainstream American culture, as one of their favorite pastimes, drinking was taken from them.
Today, the Bush Administration has continued immigration policies which do not favor more migration to the States. These greatly benefit the needs of American society as the unemployment rate is high enough. The creation of more competition only lowers ones chance of finding a job, especially considering that immigrants from foreign countries have a much easier time finding jobs with minimum salary and hard labor. If one moves to the country illegally, it is only fair that they face deportation. They could have come to the country legally; it was their choice to illegally jump some border fence or obstacle. However now that Congress has a slight Democratic majority, more liberal laws are looking to be passed, like one that helps illegal immigrants become citizens. If such plans and laws are passed, the government would be favoring immigrants over it’s original citizens who have been serving the country for quite some time. In no way, shape or form should immigration be banned or should immigrants be sent back to their home countries if their emigration was legal.
Question for F Block:
Do you believe that if a Democrat is elected to Presidency in 2008, with a control of both the legislative and executive branches, friendlier immigration policies will be passed? If so, do you think they will be passed at a much faster rate than they are now? If so, do you think this is good or bad for American society?
I have deleted the orginal post seeing as it accidently offended many, when I indeed meant the opposite... =)
Oh, common, people! As classmates of John, you should know that he holds the middle class in high regard. It's not an insult; it's just his form of historical flattery.
By the way, Shaun, if you are a legal immigrant living in the U.S., then you are required to pay taxes. However, if you are an illegal immigrant, you can't pay taxes because you are using an illegal social security code. How do you think these immigrants come into our country illegally? They make up social security codes. It's quite simple actually. Yes, some illegal immigrants are working in jobs of lower economic status. Do you know what this means? They receive economic help, called welfare. Do you know where welfare comes from? 15% of the legal immigrants and U.S. citizens' taxes! And many end up spending it on drugs and alcohol. So, you see. They are hurting our economy. John makes quite a valid point.
Either way, he was only kidding about the middle class joke. He doesn't think he's better than anyone else. The fact that he's able to create such political theories makes him an awesome person.
Greetings all,
I'm pleased to see that all of you are politically and historically informed enough to have such poignant debate. Be respectful to one another; it's fine to disagree and all of us have acidentally offended a group at some point. Ease up on the hating and continue with the point-counterpoint discussion.
Everytime we pass judgement on others we take a chance of others judging us... so be careful with sweeping genralizations.
Keep it smart!
Ms. F
Jeff Pennington
To Michelle,
How would you feel if i called you a lower class citizen, because you are a woman???? Then I'm going to blow up Russia with nukes!!!!
Tarina Meaders
F Block
4/18/08
The article titled "The Jazz Age: The American 1920's" is basically about the distribution and banning of alcohol in the 1920s, and why it was banned around this time. There were lots of different solid reasons for the Prohibition Act but many gangsters involved in organized crime made profit off this act by bootlegging liquor. Many different states from Indiana to Vermont made critical changes to banning alcohol to try and keep the U.S. in order.
I read Keith Harris' story about his experience of immigration and it helped me to decide that anyone who wants to immigrate to a different place has the hardest time. Most people believe that immigrants who want to move to America have difficulties but it also serves for the other way around as well. He was seperated from his wife and was confused, emotionally because of the ongoing process. Over time the U.S. immigration policy has gotten more difficult, there is much proof about this. Its easy to understand though, because every country wants to keep their territory as threat-free as possible but are unable to seal their country. This leaves them no choice but to make rules hard to breach, and to make waiting lists,visas and even more processes. These things disreguard the feelings of immigrants, making people more tempted to go in legally.
Jeff just clearly violated Miss Francis' unoffical insult line.....
Thought I would point that out....
If we start blowing things up and conquering them...I call dibbs on British Columbia and Central America.....and China...and Germany...and Denmark...and Poland...and England....and Spain..and South Africa...and Ghana...and South Korea...
The 18th amendment banned the use and sale of alcohol throughout all the United States. Most of the United States believed that alchol was the cause of most domestic issues along with others problems happening inside the country. Many religious based groups formed , which supported the prohibition of alcohol. Aside from that, the prohibition act had an economic disavantage to it.. well for the Gernmans it did. Most beer drunk during the 1910's in America was imported from Germany. With the banishment of Beer, that ment that the importing of beer from Germany would stop ass well. This obviously caused some negativity in Germany's economics and trade route.However, because most of America was already into the drinking habbit, it was almost impossibe for a free- drinking America to exist. Internationally and nationally people were selling and buying illegal beer. Bootleg beer became popular.Also, the banishment of alcohol was related to immigration. President Harding felt that the immigrants had already done enough harm to America as possible so he wanted to place a number of restrictions among them ass possible, too. The prohibition of alcohol was hard for moost European immigrants because they were already acostumed to it in their original nation. The 18th amendment did do what it was proposed to do. In 1921,more than a quater of alcohol realted deaths dropped. Now, thats dramatic. However today, we follow the 21st amendment that was legalized in 1933. This active amendment allows all at the age of 21 and above to consume alcohol.
In Response to Shaun and John Harden: Yes, Shaun , you are right. Immigrants are getting the less intresting jobs that we as Americans, do not aim for. John, stop it, after all the years we spend in school, no one in their right mind would want to become an employee of Mc.Donalds. Instead, they would want to own a chain of Mc.Donalds. You know? In matter of fact, immigrants with no education get the jobs we do not want. My aunt owns a Wendy's in Queens and is looking to buy another. She is an immigrant and was able to accomplish this after comming to America at the age of 21 and going to school. Similar story for my dad. Also, in New York City, I usually see alot of immigrants doing off the book construction work. The problem I have with this is that Contstruction buisness owners know that if they higher an immigrant or legal immigrant they really dont know what to expect in pay and will take anything trying to survive in this busy city. Now, what happens to the men or women who actaully went to school in trying to become a constrution worker? They get no jobs because they are already consumed by immigrants. And no job means no money for these American born hard workers!
Khadijah's Extra Credit Response. Yea!
The U.S immigration hass changed over time. It was only a couple off weeks ago, in class, when we were learning about a time period were the United States was luring in immigrants with their cool health and education guarentess.When America wanted immigrants to work on the mines , fight in wars and labor in factories. Now a days, it seems like America will do anything to keep them away. Reflected in the story of Keith Harris, America is trying to make the standards of being a legal immigrant immposible. Impossible to the point , were they want to seperate families for two years! Mr. Harris meet his wife at Ohio State. After studying in America, the future Mrs.Harris, a mexican immigrant had back To Mexico because of an immigrant law. J-1 that requires immigrants to return to their home countries for at least two years after completing their academic work. At this time the couple already had three children. The couple was forced to seperate after an appeal for a waiver.Many Immigrants who come here illegally get to stay in America for any amount of time, ifthey do not get cought. Mr. and Ms. Harris are getting ounished for following th rules and not traveling here illegally. that's akward. Poonan Sharma , an Indian immigrant has a like wise story.She came her on a student visa at ethe age of 17 with her family. She attended City University of New York City and even had to pay high tuition as an immigrant. She even pays her taxes. SIx years ago she recived an updated vis for educated immigrants. Afetr all the hard work she put in school, she turned out to be a teacher , counselour and friend in the school that she works in. She says about her self:" I am an immigrant trying to ensure that American children are employable in the future". Based on all the prosperous thing the United States has given her she decided to get an employment -based green card. However, she has to wait on a ten years waiting list. Till then, she can not change job or get promotions. She says in the next ten years she wont see a house off her own or even her own developing buisness.
The story "Immigration and Refugees" by Julia Preston, talks about the plan to improve immigartion were immigranst ould come to America for job employments and school since the 80's. However,it was overshadowed by the war in Iraq in 2001 and presidential debates in 2004. Now as the elections come up, the canidates try to tell their own plan on immigration like the new fence wall that will stand between the Mexico and U.S border. The new immigration policies reflect change. Unlike before , now U.S citizens are scared about overpopulation and the lack of jobs they will be able to get. I feel that the government sees this fear and is trying to protect th e government.
Karmila Saulong
Block F
The Prohibition also known to be the 18th Amendment was an issue for immigrants and those who were nativists in the 1920s. Many people believed that the Prohibition caused more problems rather than solve problems. However, critics say that the Phobiition was enforcing "American Culture" and helped the death rate decrease. The digital history article claimed restraining drinking would eliminate corruption, help immigrants, and end political machines. The opposite occured as a result of the government enforcing the Prohibition. The death rate and crime rate may have decreased but many people sought to rebel against the government's decision to ban acohol. Americans began smuggling, bootlegging, and establishing speakeasies where alcohol was abundant. There were thousands of illegal speakeasies found across the nation. The Prohibition was not effective because Americans felt that this restriction didn't eliminate drinking but made them want to get liquor illegally. The articles, "Immigration and Refugees" and "Prohibition Period: 1920s" are evidence that the US immigration policy has changed over time. President Bush is trying to find a way to help illegal aliens gain American citizenship. Also, Bush wanted to used a guest worker program which allowed illegal immgrants the right to work at jobs that Americans do not want. Republicans passed a bill stating that illegals were to be deported and there should be no assistance offered to them. Many groups, orgainizations, and politicians have been favoring the illegal immigrants instead of trying to get rid of them altogether.
In Response to Michelle and Khadijah: I agree with both of them. The immigrantion policy provides for the illegal immigrants even when they do not pay taxes unlike the American citizens. Why should citizens have to pay for people who are in the US illegally? Illegal citizens do take on the jobs that many American people do not want to do. There is a large percentage of jobless Americans, the government should be giving these jobless people the jobs instead of illegal aliens.
The 18th Amendment, banning all manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol, was officially ratified on January 29, 1919. Many advocates of prohibition, such as the Anti-Saloon League, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, and Henry Ford, related alcohol as the cause to many social problems. It was thought to be a decision that would end corruption and help Americanize immigrants. Even before the Amendment was passed, nineteen states adopted anti-liquor laws as a sign of patriotism against German-manufacturers during World War I. Though there seemed to be a significant decrease in the death and crime rates after the prohibition, there were more smuggling, bootlegging, corruption, organized crime, homicide, and generally more drunkenness. The country suffered especially during the Great Depression when the jobs and tax revenue from the liquor industry were no longer available. Prohibition was related to nativism because many ethnic Americans strongly believed that drinking beer or wine was a part of the American culture, not an immoral behavior. Consequently, nativists such as the Know-Nothings and the American Protective Association promoted restriction on immigration such as the Emergency Quota Act and the Immigration Act of 1924. Due to the country’s inability to enforce the prohibition, the 21st Amendment was passed in 1933, repealing Prohibition. Similarly, the United States has made it extremely hard for immigrants to legally become citizens and/or receive their green cards. As seen in Julia Preston’s collection of immigration stories, Juan Jose Castillo Zarate has faced thousands of dollars in fees and travel expenses from Mexico, not to mention the endless amount of forms he was required to complete. Another legal Indian immigrant, Poonam Sharma, has been in the United States for 17 years and is still waiting for a permanent resident’s visa. After applying for an employment-based green card last year, she still needs to wait ten years without a promotion or a change of occupation. Today’s immigration policy definitely hinders the needs of immigrant groups such as the two people mentioned above. Sharma has been waiting patiently for years, but now she’s stuck in one place in her life for ten years because of the circumstances of the immigration policy. As a legal immigrant having moved to America for a better opportunity, she should have the right to grow and succeed just like anyone else. However, I agree with Tarina that it is somewhat understandable because our country is only trying to be as safe and “threat-free” as possible, resulting in longer waiting lists for visas and other processes. As Ms. Phillips, Juan’s wife, stated, “I just think more people would not resort to sneaking if it were easier, [quicker] and more affordable to do it the legal way.”
Ama Kwakye
The Prohibiton Act(18th Amendment) wasnt supported by immigrates and nativism. When the doughboys came back from WWI, there were many changes which was an absence of alcohol. As of 1916, a total of 23 out of 48 states obeyed the rule. The movement was undertaken to reduce crime and corruption, improve health, sole social problems, and reduce tax burdens . As Saun stated the presidents of the time didnt want immagrants entering because they have already done enough damage. Today a hige amount of The United States popultaion are starting to be filled with immigrants and refugess.Most come here to work and start a better future. they can enter the country to work. he UNited States arent to happy with immigrants right now, so the immigration policy is a issue. But we also have to put into consideration that we were once immagrants before and its not that easy to ajust into a new envirnment, not to say that we are asking them to come but who doesnt want to live a beter life?
damn, jeff went in!
Ciara :]
History - F Block
The article "The Jazz Age: The American 1920's" shows how prohibition on liquor began and spread in the United States. As years passed, more states began to promote prohibition. Many groups supported the Prohibition movement because they linked alcoholism to many social issues at the time. Many leaders of the prohibition movement linked drinking to issues such as abuse and productivity in the factories. Eventually, the 18th amendment was passed. It banned the sale and manufacture of liquor in America. To many americans, liquor was a part of every day life in the United States. Therefore, it was extremely hard for the amendment to be enforced, it was near impossible.
During this time, America had extreme anti-german feelings because it was post WWI. So, many people were willing to support the prohibition act. These people realized that it would hurt Germanys economy. But that was a small portion of Americans and many others were willing to take risks to get their hands on alcohol. This was when the increase in illegal activities occurred. Many illegal acts, such as bootlegging, became popular and glamorized. It was also at this time that immigrants, desperate for money, began to illegally import and sell liquor. The main reason would probably be tat they were having the most difficulty surviving the depression.
Reporter Julia Preston told many different stories of immigrants who are having difficulty with american laws, in modern times. Families and couples are being kept apart because of unjust laws. It is increasingly diificult for people to legally enter the states.
Once again, I would have to agree with Shaun. Immigrants are taking the jobs that americans are not interested in. And the american immigration policies are continually changing to fulfill american needs.
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