Immigration Act of 1917

Definition

The Immigration Act of 1917 was a significant piece of legislation that restricted immigration to the United States by imposing literacy tests and establishing a list of excluded classes of people. This act represented a shift towards more stringent immigration policies and marked a growing nativist sentiment that influenced debates around immigration in the early 20th century.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The act introduced a literacy test for immigrants aged 16 and over, aimed at limiting uneducated individuals from entering the country.
2. It included a broad list of exclusions, such as individuals with certain medical conditions, criminals, and anarchists.
3. The act was influenced by the social and political climate of the time, including fears about national security during World War I.
4. Although the act aimed to reduce immigration from undesirable groups, it did not drastically decrease overall immigration numbers initially.
5. The Immigration Act of 1917 laid the groundwork for more restrictive policies in the following decades, including the National Origins Act of 1924.

Review Questions

• How did the Immigration Act of 1917 reflect the changing attitudes toward immigration in the United States during its time?
  • The Immigration Act of 1917 reflected a growing nativist sentiment and increasing fears about immigration as America faced social changes and World War I. It introduced stricter measures like literacy tests and specific exclusions for certain groups, which showed a shift towards prioritizing certain populations deemed more desirable. These changes were driven by concerns over national security and economic stability, highlighting how public opinion influenced legislative actions.
• Analyze how the provisions of the Immigration Act of 1917 impacted different immigrant groups in America.
  • The provisions of the Immigration Act of 1917 significantly affected various immigrant groups by imposing literacy tests that discriminated against those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Additionally, the explicit exclusion of Asian immigrants underlined racial prejudices prevalent at the time. As a result, many potential immigrants faced barriers that prevented them from seeking better opportunities in America, ultimately reshaping the demographic landscape of immigration during this era.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Immigration Act of 1917 on American immigration policy and society.
  • The long-term consequences of the Immigration Act of 1917 can be seen in its role as a precursor to subsequent restrictive immigration policies in the United States. By setting a precedent for literacy tests and creating categories for exclusion, it fostered an environment of increasing nativism that continued into later legislation like the National Origins Act of 1924. This act not only changed who could enter America but also contributed to ongoing debates about race, citizenship, and national identity, shaping societal attitudes toward immigrants for decades.

Related terms

Literacy Test: A requirement that immigrants demonstrate the ability to read and write, which was used to restrict entry into the United States under the Immigration Act of 1917.

Asian Exclusion Act: Part of the Immigration Act of 1917, this provision specifically barred immigrants from most Asian countries, reflecting widespread racial discrimination during this period.

Nativism: A political and social movement that favored the interests of native-born inhabitants over those of immigrants, often leading to restrictive immigration policies.