Which factor contributed to the portrayal of immigrants as a threat during the 1920s?

During the 1920s, the perception of immigrants as a threat was heavily influenced by the fear of cultural dilution. This period was marked by a significant influx of immigrants from various countries, many of whom brought different languages, customs, and beliefs that contrasted sharply with the dominant American culture. As these diverse groups settled in the United States, there was a widespread anxiety among certain segments of the population about losing their traditional values and social norms.

This fear of cultural dilution was exacerbated by the post-World War I context, where nationalism was on the rise, and many Americans began to idealize a homogeneous national identity. Consequently, immigrants were often scapegoated as the cause of social problems, economic issues, and a perceived erosion of American cultural values. This resulted in a narrative that painted immigrants as a threat rather than contributors to society.

In comparison, while the economic prosperity of the era did provide job opportunities and increased immigration, it also created tensions between native-born workers and newcomers. The rise of labor unions was another factor, as unions sometimes viewed immigrant labor as competition threatening wages and job security. However, these factors did not encapsulate the broader, more pervasive cultural anxieties that characterized the 1920s' perception of immigrants.