Assignment
Purpose: Following your larger picture reflection of immigration in America between 1880 and 1940, you are now examining the immigration restrictions Congress passed in 1921 and 1924. This assessment is intended to acquaint you with the issue of immigration and nativism in America in the decade of the 1920s. This assessment will build your skills in interpreting Congressional documents and census data and hone your ability to analyze that information.
Task: It is 1926 and you are running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 99th Congressional District. You are scheduled to deliver a speech to the voters of your district in which you outline your position on the issue of immigration, specifically on the 1921 and 1924 laws and their effects in America.
Clearly outline your position on the 1921 and 1924 immigration laws (for or against) and explain why you take that position. Support your explanations with details and analysis, do not simply explain the provisions of the laws.
Focus Topics/Questions
These questions are not to be answered directly in your speech, they are provided only to stimulate your thinking on the issue.
1. What are the immigration restrictions in the 1921 immigration law (Emergency Quota Act)?
2. What are the immigration restrictions in the 1924 immigration law (National Origins Act)?
3. How do the restrictions differ between the two laws?
4. Do the laws affect immigration from Europe and Asia equally?
5. When do those restrictions take effect?
6. Does your speech support the 1921 and 1924 laws? Why or why not?
7. What factors did you consider when staking out your position on immigration?
8. From what country and when did your own ancestors arrive in America?
9. How many immigrants live in Georgia's 99th District?
10. What position does each of the major political parties take on immigration?
11. How does the immigration issue fit into the cultural conflict of the 1920s?
To assist in drawing your conclusion about immigration, the 1921 law, the 1924 law, and the Population Division and Population Characteristics and Migration excerpts
a) Clearly taking a position and explaining why you take that position;
b) The clarity of your speech;
c) The logic and coherence of your speech;