Running Head: AMERICAN HISTORY 1 Impacts of Three Turning Points of US on Immigrants [Name of Writer] [Name of Institute] Impacts of Three

Turning Points of US History on Immigrants Introduction United States of America has seen many changes with the course of the time. With many turning points it emerged as a super power. These turning points not only changed the country but also imposed great impact on the globe. For centuries, America has been a green pasture for the immigrants. That is why these changes also affected the immigration process and their lives in US. In this paper, the impacts of three major eras of US on immigrants are discussed. These are industrialization, Western Expansion and post World War II era. Discussion Industrialization Chinese immigrants By the year of 1870, California was inhabited by over 100,000 Chinese immigrants. During economic depression of 1873, Workingmans party was led by an Irish immigrant. He accused Chinese immigrants of working at low wages and taking away jobs from American. His conclusions, the Chinese must go increased negative sentiments against Chinese immigrants. The Chinese exclusion Act in 1882, passed by congress, halted more Chinese immigration to the U.S. enclave. Reaction against the New Immigrants The new immigrants formed ethnic enclaves in the cities and kept on practicing their own culture and maintained their previous ways of life. This situation was of a grave concern for Native Americans who believed that the immigrants will not be able to grasp the American culture and will destroy it. These beliefs increased nativism. Extremist groups also emerged such as Ku Klux Clan which threatened the Southern Blacks by means of violence, abductions and murders. Immigration during Cold War During the Cold War, Congress made many measures to host the refugees from several communist nations. Despite of this leniency, the quota system for the immigrants did not change. Many act and laws were passed to admit the immigrants from Asian nations also. Japanese Immigrants During 1890s Japanese immigration was also encourage by the Western Farmers. On average, every year about 7,000 Japanese immigrants entered the country and then US had to make an agreement in order to slow down the immigrations. In 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor gave surge to antiJapanese sentiments. Fear of spying and damages urged the then president to order evacuation of Japanese. They were sent to relocation camps. Western Expansion Impact on American Indians The westward expansion was opposed by American Indians at great level. This opposition also caused wars battles between the Native Americans and American Indians such as Battle of Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull and Geronimo. They were also forced to be relocated from their areas to the reservations. Integrated attempts were made by the government to change their life styles such as reduction of buffaloes which was a traditional meal of these American Indians. Ghost Dance As the Western Expansion was up to eradicating the culture of immigrants, Plain Indians found the Ghost Dance as their last effort to save their culture and lands. It soon became an inspiration to restart the struggle to maintain the culture against US or Western Expansion. Racial Discrimination In this era, racial isolation was faced by the African Americans. The rise of Jim Crow law, which legalized the segregation, was also observed during Western Expansion. They even did not consider being the citizens of America until 1924. Increase in Immigration During Western Expansion, inventions and interactions attracted more immigrants from around the world. Hope for better future, adventurous life and freedom from domineering governments increased the number of immigrants during Western Expansion. Post World War II and Immigrants Displaced Persons (DP) Act of 1948 The endorsement of the Displaced Persons (DP) Act of 1948 was the most important act for national immigration policies. More than

400,000 people migrated to US under this DP legislation. It is said to be first of many other laws to avoid the quotas for those who were other than the Native American citizens. Quota mortgaging was the key of its enactment. Though, Congress did not want to eliminate the national origin system but eventually it allowed, for over 100 years, mortgaging their future quotas. McCarran-Walter Act The immigration and nationality Act of 1952, also known as McCarran-Walter, was imposed by Act Congress. It was meant to eliminate immigrations to America. Instead of focusing on elimination of migrants from the country it started focusing on denial of unlawful, immoral and diseased people. Exclusion was also related to the people who were even slightly associated with the communism which may harm the democracy of the country. Policies of 1965 In 1965, the restrictions and national origin quotas against Asians were revoked by the Congress. Instead it established a system that preferred union of families, status of refuges and their occupations. These changes increased the number of immigrants and also changed the models of immigration. These changes also led to the increase in immigrants from the Third World nations and by 1970s most of the immigrants were from the Third World. 9/11 Attacks The laws for immigration changed dramatically after the attack of 9/11. It tightened the scrutiny system, imposed more restrictions and also stiffened the requirements for immigration. The reforms in immigration policies was the top priority for the then President George Bush Jr. Soon after the attacks of 9/11 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was established for the immigrants in order to improve the security of US. Citizenship test became more detailed which includes more knowledge about the history and government of US. Conclusion Industrialization Western Expansion and Post World War II era not only made US a super power and lead it towards more success every times but also have effects on its native citizens and immigrants. Many policies and events changed the process of immigration. Sometimes it posed threats to the country and sometime those immigrants played an important role in the construction of US. Reference Billington, R.A and Ridge, M. (2001). Westward Expansion: A History of the American Frontier. University of New Mexico Press. Hirschman,C and Mogford, L. (2008). Immigrants and Industrialization in the United States, 1880 to 1920. University of Washington Reimers, D.M. (1981). Post-World War II Immigration to the United States: Americas Latest Newcomers. The ANNALS AMERICAN HISTORY 2 AMERICAN HISTORY 3 AMERICAN HISTORY 4 AMERICAN HISTORY 5 AMERICAN HISTORY 6 AMERICAN HISTORY 7