Handout 8.1: Cycles of Nativism in U.S. History helped to illustrate how anti-immigrant sentiment rises during times of conflict and war. Another example is illustrated in the excerpt below, which addresses concerns about immigrants during the period of World War I: War pressures evoked hostility and suspicion in the United States. Antagonism toward immigrants, especially those of German descent, grew. Schools stopped teaching German. Hamburgers and sauerkraut became “Salisbury steak” and “liberty cabbage.” Fear of sabotage spurred Congress to pass the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918. The laws imposed fines, jail sentences, or both for interfering with the draft, obstructing the sale of war bonds, or saying anything disloyal, profane, or abusive about the government or the war effort. These repressive laws, upheld by the Supreme Court, resulted in 6,000 arrests and 1,500 convictions for antiwar activities. The laws targeted people on the left, such as Socialist leader Eugene V. Debs, who was imprisoned, and Emma Goldman, who was jailed and deported. The arrests of 1917 reflected wartime concerns about dissent as well as hostility toward the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Source: MSN Encarta - United States (History) Online Encyclopedia
Class Discussion:
Questions:
1. Can you think of points in history that are comparable to the situation from the excerpt above? (i.e. World War II and the Japanese ‘internment’ camps, or the current “War on Terror” in the U.S.)
2. How do you think the attitudes of people during the current ‘War on Terror’ are similar or different from attitudes during WWI? (Example: businesses, including cafeterias in the House of Representatives, that used the term “freedom fries” in place of “French fries” after France voiced opposition to the U.S. position on Iraq in 2002.)
3. Think about the balance between upholding safety and upholding civil rights. When, if ever, is it acceptable to try to ensure safety by taking away an individual right, such as freedom of speech?