Responses to Immigration: Gilded Age - AP U.S. History

1. What was the main goal of the Emergency Quota Act?

   To restrict the number of immigrants entering the U.S. First numerical caps on immigration by nationality.

2. What was the main criticism of the 'new immigrants'?

   They were perceived as culturally and economically inferior. Nativists feared different religions and customs.

3. What was a common requirement for immigrants at Ellis Island?

   Passing a medical examination. Health screening to prevent disease spread in cities.

4. Which group did the Immigration Act of 1891 exclude?

   Persons with contagious diseases or mental issues. Expanded federal authority over immigration screening.

5. Which law established a literacy test for immigrants in 1917?

   The Immigration Act of 1917. Required reading ability in any language for entry.

6. Which law aimed to protect American workers by banning foreign labor contracts?

   The Alien Contract Labor Law of 1885. Protected domestic workers from wage competition.

7. What is nativism?

   A policy favoring native inhabitants over immigrants. Anti-immigrant ideology promoting American-born interests.

8. What did the term 'ethnic enclave' refer to?

   A community of immigrants maintaining cultural ties. Neighborhoods where immigrants preserved homeland culture.

9. Why was Angel Island important in the Gilded Age?

   It was the entry point for Asian immigrants to the U.S. Processed mostly Chinese immigrants with strict questioning.

10. What was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?

    A law that prohibited Chinese labor immigration. First federal law to ban a specific ethnic group from immigration.

11. Identify one reason for the rise of nativism in the Gilded Age.

    Fear of job competition from immigrants. Economic anxiety drove anti-immigrant sentiment.

12. Who were the main targets of the Immigration Act of 1924?

    Southern and Eastern Europeans. Severely reduced immigration from these regions.

13. What was a characteristic of the 'old immigrants'?

    They primarily came from Northern and Western Europe. Shared Protestant heritage and familiar languages.

14. Identify the purpose of settlement houses like Hull House.

    To assist immigrants in adapting to American life. Progressive movement effort to aid immigrant integration.

15. How did the Dillingham Commission view immigration?

    It viewed immigration as a threat to American society. Federal commission that recommended restrictive policies.

16. Which labor union leader was known for opposing immigration during the Gilded Age?

    Samuel Gompers. AFL leader who feared wage depression from immigration.

17. What was the primary focus of the 1929 National Origins Act?

    To further restrict immigration based on national origin. Finalized the quota system favoring Northwestern Europe.

18. Identify one impact of the 1924 Immigration Act.

    It established national origin quotas. Favored Northern/Western Europeans over others.

19. What was the literacy test requirement in the Gilded Age?

    Immigrants had to read 40 words in any language. Basic literacy requirement to demonstrate education level.

20. Who were the 'new immigrants' in the Gilded Age?

    Immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe. Distinguished from 'old immigrants' by origin and religion.

21. What was the Immigration Restriction League's main focus?

    To limit immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe. Nativist group opposing 'new immigrants' for cultural reasons.

22. Identify the main goal of the American Protective Association.

    To restrict Catholic immigration. Anti-Catholic nativist organization formed in the 1890s.

23. Which organization was formed to oppose Catholic influence in the U.S.?

    The American Protective Association. Leading anti-Catholic nativist group of the 1890s.

24. Which U.S. president vetoed the Literacy Test Bill, calling it a radical departure?

    President Grover Cleveland. Opposed restrictive legislation on humanitarian grounds.

25. What was the main purpose of the Emergency Quota Act of 1921?

    To limit the number of immigrants from each country. First numerical limits based on 1910 census data.

26. What was a key feature of the Immigration Act of 1882?

    It imposed a head tax on each immigrant. 50-cent fee per person to fund immigration enforcement.

27. What was a key provision of the 1903 Immigration Act?

    It excluded anarchists from entering the U.S. Response to McKinley assassination by anarchist.

28. What did the term 'melting pot' imply about U.S. society?

    A blending of diverse cultures into a single national identity. Idealized vision of cultural assimilation into American society.

29. What group was targeted by the Alien Contract Labor Law of 1885?

    Employers recruiting foreign laborers under contract. Banned imported laborers to protect American wages.

30. What was the purpose of the Ellis Island facility?

    To process immigrants entering the United States. Primary immigration station for European immigrants.

31. Which ethnic group faced the most exclusionary policies during the Gilded Age?

    Chinese immigrants. Only group completely banned by federal law.

32. What is a tenement?

    A poorly built, overcrowded apartment building. Dense urban housing for poor immigrant families.

33. What was the significance of the 1917 Immigration Act?

    It introduced the first literacy test for immigrants. Marked shift from open immigration to federal control.

34. Identify one effect of the 1892 Geary Act.

    It extended the Chinese Exclusion Act for another 10 years. Required Chinese residents to carry identification papers.

35. What did the term 'birds of passage' refer to?

    Immigrants who temporarily worked in the U.S. before returning home. Seasonal workers who didn't intend permanent settlement.

36. What was the main purpose of the 1907 Gentlemen's Agreement?

    To reduce tensions by limiting Japanese immigration. Avoided embarrassing exclusion law through diplomacy.

37. Which political party was associated with anti-immigrant sentiment in the Gilded Age?

    The Know-Nothing Party. Secret nativist party opposing Catholic immigration.

38. What was the reaction to the arrival of 'new immigrants' in terms of legislation?

    Increased restrictions and quotas. Growing restrictionist sentiment led to multiple laws.

39. What did the Gentlemen's Agreement of 1907 address?

    It restricted Japanese immigration to the U.S. Diplomatic compromise to avoid formal exclusion law.

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