📚 Topic Summary
The National Origins Act of 1924 was a US federal law that severely restricted immigration by establishing a system of national quotas that discriminated against immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe and virtually excluded Asians. The act aimed to preserve the existing ethnic composition of the United States. It based quotas on the 1890 census, favoring groups that were already well-represented. This law had a profound impact on immigration patterns and American society. It's important to understand the historical context and consequences of this legislation.
🧠 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the following terms with their definitions:
- National Origins Act
- Quota System
- Immigration Restriction
- 1890 Census
- Discrimination
- A. The unfair or prejudicial treatment of people and groups.
- B. A count of the population in the United States used to determine immigration quotas.
- C. A system that limited immigration from specific countries based on their representation in the US population.
- D. Legislation passed in 1924 limiting immigration to the US.
- E. Policies designed to reduce the number of immigrants entering a country.
(Match the term number to the definition letter)
✏️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the paragraph with the correct words:
The National Origins Act of 1924 primarily targeted immigrants from __________ and __________ Europe. It used the __________ census to establish immigration __________. This act resulted in significant __________ in immigration from the targeted regions, reflecting a desire to maintain the existing __________ makeup of the US population.
(Possible words: Southern, Eastern, 1890, quotas, reductions, ethnic)
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
Explain how the National Origins Act of 1924 reflected the social and political climate of the United States at that time.