What was one major consequence of anti-immigration sentiment in the 1920s in the U.S.?

Prepare for the APUSH Immigration Test with our comprehensive study guide. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each supported by hints and explanations. Ready yourself for success!

The enactment of strict immigration quotas in the 1920s was a significant consequence of the rising anti-immigration sentiment in the United States. During this decade, there was a pervasive fear among many Americans that immigrants were taking jobs away from native-born citizens, contributing to crime, and diluting American cultural values. This sentiment led to the implementation of the Immigration Act of 1924, which introduced national origins quotas, significantly limiting the number of immigrants allowed entry into the U.S. based on their country of origin.

This act was primarily aimed at reducing the number of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, while favoring those from Northern and Western Europe. The quotas reflected the nativist sentiments of the period and reinforced a preference for a homogenous society, fundamentally shaping U.S. immigration policy for decades to come. The anti-immigration sentiment of the time was a catalyst for legislative changes that established a more exclusionary immigration framework, ultimately impacting the demographic and cultural landscape of the United States.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy