ktmeng/mec huggingface dataset:
Topic: immigration

Another aspect that added greatly to the up surging or nativism in America was the World Wars. With the rise of the Kaiser and the Nazi party Americans became more and more anti-German. American opinion of Germany was already ill-disposed, but was further inflamed against the Kaiser and Germany when a German operative in 1915 absentmindedly left his briefcase on a New York elevated car. Its contents included documents detailing plans for industrial sabotage which were quickly discovered and publicized.
Topic: immigration

German Americans numbered over eight million, out of a total 100 million, and were on a whole, loyal to the United States; however, the already existing hate of Americans towards Germans (or German Americans) was quickly amplified when tales of spying and sabotage were spread. Nativism was so strong during the World Wars that little things such as diarrhea epidemics were blamed on the Germans. The World Wars created such an hysteria that the nation was against all things Germanic. The teaching of German at High School and many colleges was discontinued and orchestras even found it unsafe to present German composed music.
Topic: immigration

Nativism was amplified between 1900 and 1930 because Americans feared that their country was beginning to change. The American hate of Germans was caused by the current issues of War, Germans were portrayed as, and many Americans thought that, the Nazi party embodied the rest of German society. Americans were beginning to become confident, comfortable and so set in their values that when different cultures and ethnic groups began to appear Americans were afraid that every slight change made would be a drastic blow to American society.
Topic: immigration

The hypothesis states: If two or more groups come together in a contact situation characterized by ethnocentrism, competition and a difference in power, then some form of racial or ethnic stratification will result (Noel, 1968, p. 163). In other words, if the contact situation contains all three of the situations, ethnocentrism, competition, and a difference in power, then some sort of dominant-minority social structure will be created.
Topic: immigration

175). At some level, ethnocentrism is a necessary part of human culture. Without it, people would tend to not obey laws, social norms or work with others in every day life. Ethnocentrism can also create a negative effect. At the extreme end of it, it can create the view that other cultures are not only different, but are also inferior. When ethnocentrism exists at any level, most people follow group lines and tend to differentiate between “us” and “them” (Healy, 1999, p. 175)
Topic: immigration

Competition is a struggle over a scarce commodity (Healy, 1999, p 175), and usually leads to prejudice and discrimination. In contact situations, the dominant group is the one that come out on top of the competition. Competition can be over anything that is desired by either group, or what one group has that other wants. The dominant group serves its own interests by ending the competition and exploiting, controlling, eliminating or dominating the minority group (Healy, 1999 p.176).
Topic: immigration

The Blauner hypothesis, analyzed in his book Racial Oppression in America (1972), identifies two other types of contact situations, colonization and immigration. Blauner’s hypothesis states “minority groups created by colonization will experience more intense prejudice, racism, and discrimination than those created by immigration. Furthermore, the disadvantaged status of colonized groups will persist longer and be more difficult to overcome than the disadvantaged status faced by groups created by immigration” (Blauner, 1972).
Topic: immigration

“Many of these alien people are temperamentally and racially unfitted for easy assimilation” (Document F). In other words they were inferior to Americans, their race did not fit with the one of Americans. Also, they were not “temperamentally” capable to live in American society. “Thank God we have in America… the largest percentage of… pure unadulterated Anglo-Saxon stock; certainly the greatest of any nation in the Nordic breed” (Document I), said Ellison D.
Topic: immigration

The same year in which the Immigration Act was passed Mr. Keaton from the Department of Adjutant of the American Legion of California wrote to John Raker in the House of Representatives in Washington, DC that he was “standing behing… 100 per cent in the fight to make this a white man’s country” (Document G). Once again we can find proof that one of the most important reasons why the Immigration Act of 1924 was passed was because the United States wanted to have control over ethnicity.
Topic: immigration

Secondly, Congress had to study very well how would immigrants affect US economy. The United States Bureau of the Census shows a table from 1919 to 1925 showing national and personal income during those years. In here we can se the sharpest declines between 1920 and 1921. By 1924, the year in which the Immigration Act of 1924 was enforced, economy was getting better, but not fast enough, and so they thought immigrants were affecting economy. (Document D). “There is not now the relative advantage for the peasant of England, Germany, or Scandinavia… As regards the new immigrants…the one great reason for their coming is that they believe that on the wage which they can receive in America they can establish a higher standard that the one to which they have been accustomed” (
Topic: immigration

Congress was limiting more Southern Europeans than Northern because they were poorer and could not bring any benefits to the country. “We need three generation to educate, to crossbreed with Western strains and to assimilate a large number of those that we have here now” (Document F). This suggests that inferiority is would not last forever but the bulk of the argument indicates clearly that the effort to “Americanize” the new, particularly the “new immigrants” will exhaust America’s resources had ultimately prove impossible.
Topic: immigration

Thirdly, having political control was very important also. Congress felt that by allowing people from different countries with different government will try to change the way America was governed. For example, communism was something Congress was afraid. It was the time when Bulsobism was trying to infest the US with its communism. The US was afraid that in those immigrants a group of Bulsobist could sneak in introduce bad habits to Americans. Philadelphia inquirer, 1920 (document E), shows a communist immigrant under the US flag trying to get it through the United States boundaries.
Topic: immigration

Concluding, we find proof, once again, of the fears that the United States has and this is why American Congress takes drastic caution towards immigrants who could affect the US. “Under the act of 1924 the number of each nationality who may be admitted annually is limited to 2 per cent of the population of such nationality resident in the United States according to the census of 1890” (Document A). This Act was mostly influenced by the factors of economy, ethnic and political control.
Topic: immigration

Before Congress passed the Immigration Act of 1924, there were several restrictions for immigrants who desired a better life in the United States. “Immigrants and anyone else perceived as “un-American” seemed to threaten the old ways” (Nash pg. 749). Several Acts had been passed, one of them passed in 1882 prohibited the entry of criminal, paupers and the insane, and special agreements like the one that restricted both Chinese and Japanese immigration in 1908. Another Act was passed in 1917 over President Wilson’s veto, for the first time in history an act that required a literacy test came in action.
Topic: immigration

The immigration Act of 1924 established quotas for immigration based on the US population of each ethnic group in 1910. It made it even more difficult for people from southern and eastern Europe to migrate, only 2 percent of the given year 1890 not 3 per cent as in 1810. In the United States bureau of the census, historical statistics of the Unites states can be found, in here we can find how many southern and eastern Europeans entered the us between 1900 and the outbreak of the World War I, especially in the peak of 1907(Document B).
Topic: immigration

Political issues were very important when deciding the faith of the Immigration Act. In Philadelphia Inquirer you can see a Bulsobist trying to get under the US flag, trying to incorporate Anarchism to the US (Document E). This fear that this could be any alien migrating to the United States contributed into passing the Act of 1924. Also, for this exact reason The Saturday Evening Post published in 1920 that, “those aliens who deplore our individualistic, capitalistic system are preparing to come over here by the hundred thousand to enjoy our benefits and if possible to join with their fellows already here to short-cut to fortune by confiscating our capital” (Document F).
Topic: immigration

Not only politic issues influence in this decision, as mentioned before, economy was another big issue. In the editorial of 1020, The Saturday Evening Post published that “a manufacturer wants cheap labor” (Document F), meaning that the United States only wanted certain people to work cheaply for them. Certainly, money was something that Americans valorized a lot. Henry P. Fairchild published his book called Immigration in 1913. Where he wrote “as a major premise, it will be granted that the standard of living of the working classes of the United States has been and still is superior to that of the nations which have furnished the bulk of the immigrants” (Document C). What Fairchild means by this is that people who migrate to the United States are not well educated and have not the same ideal. Therefore they do not know how to live like the rest of the Americans and will not know how to keep up with them, which could be a harm to the US.
Topic: immigration

Another factor that influenced the Congress of the United States was social and cultural control. Americans thought that their race was superior and better that the rest. They wanted a society where only Anglo-Saxons lived. Senator Ellison d. smith, from South Carolina said on April 9, 1924, “I think we now have sufficient population in our country for us to shut the door and to breed up a pure, unadulterated American citizenship” (Document I). This was another reason why they did not wanted to allow more aliens, that way they would not be able to get in the way of the perfect race.
Topic: immigration

Culture was also trying to be controlled by not allowing more outsiders. Mr. Morgan Keaton from California wrote to John E. Raker in San Francisco in 1924, “We are standind behing you 100 per cent in your fight to make this coast a white man’s country” (Document G). By passing the Immigration Act, congress thought that Anglo-Saxon race was going to breed purely, this is the reason why Keaton supported Raker in his opinion.
Topic: immigration

In short, the Immigration Act passed in 1924 had only one purpose and that was to restrict immigration to the United States. “Arguments for unrestricted immigration always go back to some petty selfish reason–never to the greatest good of the country… aliens want to take over our property and our country” (Document F). In other words there was no reason to let immigrants into the US since they really did not care about the country but for them selves. There were four main factors, which were used to influence Congress into passing this Act. One was to maintain political control, another had to do with US economy, thirdly was society and last but not least cultural control.
Topic: immigration

In the 1920s politicians and leading Canadians took an active role in discriminating against all ethnic groups other than white Anglo-Saxons. They achieved this by feeding the dark side of humanity: fear of different cultures, prejudice and xenophobia. In the 1920s Canada treated different peoples unjustly. The Chinese were faced with ridiculous laws, the Native Americans were forced to forfeit their culture and the Ukrainians were treated with suspicion wherever they went.
Topic: immigration

In 1876, the Indian Act had encouraged the gradual disappearance of Indians as Indians and promoted their assimilation into Canadian society. This act had made all Indians “wards of the state” and left them with little control of their own affairs. The 1920s was the time that this act was really applied. The Indian Act had been created earlier, but the Canadian government never seriously implemented it to get rid of the Aboriginal culture once and for all until the 1920s.
Topic: immigration

” In addition, all Aboriginals were sent to reserves in which they lived in poverty and despair. They lost their traditional lifestyles and were given poor land on which to farm. When the Aboriginals began to raise funds with which they would appeal to regain ownership of the land, the Canadian government amended the Indian act. In 1927, the Indian act was amended to prohibit the raising of money or the pursuit of land claims. The Canadian government discriminated against the aboriginals and it was in the 1920s that the Native Americans lost much of their traditions, their cultures and their lifestyles.
Topic: immigration

The Anglo-Saxon Canadian community discriminated against Europeans such as the Ukrainians in the 1920s. The Ukrainians had immigrated to Canada in the hopes of starting a new life. They had come in order to escape the unbearable situations in which they had originally been living but the Canadians had something else in mind. Upon the start of World War One the Ukrainians were seen as enemies and aliens and 9000 Ukrainians were interned at camps across the country. Even after the end of the war, this racial discrimination did not cease. Many people were still kept under police surveillance, the Ukrainian language schools and churches were shut down and their newspapers were suppressed. They were still viewed by the Anglo-Saxon British Canadians as spies. The Ku Klux Klan established first in America began in the 1920s to be active in Canada. The Klan disapproved of immigrants and thought of them as a threat to Canada’s Anglo-Saxon character and discriminated against Ukrainians not only for their country of origin but also for their religion.
Topic: immigration

The 1920s were a time that Canadians were especially harsh to the Chinese immigrants. Even before the 1920s the Chinese faced hardship. They were the ONLY ethnic group to ever have to pay a head tax upon arrival. They were also forced to endure absurd laws such as taxes on rice and laundries or a law which stated that Chinese restaurants were forbidden to hire white women. Even so, Chinese immigration to Canada continued in full swing until the Chinese Exclusions Act was passed on July 1, 1923. This day is dubbed by the Chinese as “Humiliation day” and for many years they refused to celebrate Canada’s national holiday. This act forbade all Chinese immigration to Canada except students, diplomats and merchants and in 1928 the act was amended to prohibit ALL immigration from China.
Topic: immigration

From this time until 1947, when the act was repealed, only 8 people were admitted into Canada. The Chinese Exclusions Act shattered the plans of anyone who wished to bring their family over and also prevented anyone returning to China for a visit to stay more than 2 years without losing the right to return. After the act was passed, the Chinese had to register with the immigration office and were forced to carry their certificate of registration on them at all times or they could be jailed or fined. The act also prevented all Chinese from becoming Canadian citizens. The Chinese were faced with much racial discrimination by the Canadian government in the 1920s.
Topic: immigration

The 1920s were times filled with racism and Canadians prejudiced the people of many different races. Anglo-Saxon Canadians viewed the people of other religions and cultures as a threat to their own traditions and faith. They prejudiced against peoples of other races and used the most powerful weapon in their possession against them: the law. Many laws were passed to suppress the different cultures of the immigrants and assimilation was promoted. Look at Canada now: the only thing different about Canada is the colour of skin that its inhabitants possess. All immigrants learn to live like the rest of the Canadians and religion and culture end up far from their minds. The Aboriginal culture has long disappeared and immigration, while being encouraged, will only come true for the people whom it will be easy to assimilate into Canadian society.
Topic: immigration

I see no other reason for the Immigration Points System and the interviews that immigrants must pass before being allowed into the country. I see no other reason for every immigrant to prove that they can speak English or French before entering Canada. Knowing certain things like the language is important to easily assimilate into Canadian society and this is the reason why only individuals who are fluent in the language may enter the country. Canada is a multi-cultural nation, but in its making, many cultural traditions have been lost because of the racism that so many ethnic minorities faced before, after and especially during the 1920s.
Topic: immigration

The success in these Labor Unions lay not only in their arguments themselves, but in the myriad of strikes that occurred. Employers were often hurt financially by so many workers. Many employers simply realized that it would be more economical to make agreements with their workers than to engage in warfare. By 1900, the public began to acquiesce the right of workers to organize, bargain collectively, and to strike. Labor Day was made a legal holiday by act of Congress in 1894. However, there were still many disagreements between the employers and Unions and constant battles were going on. Although Labor Unions were not immediately successful during this period, they were a significant stepping stone in that they encouraged the working class to become more vocal in their working circumstances. Labor Unions in this epoch however did achieve some changes, such as better wages, less hours, and a national holiday. These gains were small compared to the precedent the Unions set for America.
Topic: immigration

Another aspect that had an important effect on the Industrial worker was immigration. After the Civil War, and even during the war itself, the US was increasingly becoming more and more populated. By the 1880s, Immigrants had come mainly from Western Europe. In the 1850s, the Chinese began to arrive in America. In the 1880s, the New Immigrants, Italians, Croats, Slovaks, Greeks, and Poles, began to immigrate into America. Workers met these new immigrants with hostility and scorn.
Topic: immigration

The Chinese settled mainly in the West, so they were not a major concern for Industry workers at that time (Most workers worked in the factors on the East, whereas the Chinese were on the West). However, when the New Immigrants came to the country, the Industry workers were furious. Especially with the formation of Labor Unions, these workers claimed that the New Immigrants were willing to take jobs with much less pay, therefore taking many of the current jobs occupied by the middle and lower classes.
Topic: immigration

Nativism was revived again as these New Immigrants came to America. Many people were worried that the US was losing its English influences and was becoming a mixture of inferior southern Europeans. Hence they upbraided these immigrants for the degradation of the urban government. Unions assailed them for their willingness to work for such low wage. Antiforeign organizations were revived, such as the American Protective Association which urged voting against Roman Catholic candidates for office. Workers argued that if American industry could be protected from foreign industry (tariffs…etc), then American workers ought to be protected from foreign workers (Immigrants…etc.). Congress did pass immigration laws in 1882 due to the increased criticism to the government. It also passed a law in 1885 which prohibited the importation of foreign workers under contract.
Topic: immigration

Thus, the new Immigrants took many jobs away from the old “native” Americans. Because these new immigrants were willing to take any wage, employers were able to offer jobs currently held by workers to the immigrants for lower wages. Thus the new immigrants were often mistreated and struggled to integrate into American society. However, one extremely important fact to remember is that the torrent of immigrants DID help the wealthy class. The employers did enjoy the cheap labor. Immigrants therefore, also helped create tension between the workers and their employees.
Topic: immigration

Between 1865 and 1890, both Labor Unions and Immigration had distinct effects upon the American worker. Labor Unions aided the worker because they often helped fight for better conditions and wages. Immigration was bad for the workers, because it meant instability to their jobs, and many immigrants were treated with derision. Both situations increased the tension between workers and their employees. In this period, American workers experienced both good and hard times, due to the rapid changes in American society.
Topic: immigration

Author David Cole explains in “Five Myths about Immigration” that people are misinformed about immigrants in America and blame them for all the problems in the American society. Cole comments that the “Native Americans”, which have nothing to do with what we call Native Americans today, were labeled as “Know-Nothings” because they simply did not know anything about immigrants and prejudged immigrants who came into the country. The author quotes one “Know-Nothing” for saying that “more than half the prisons and almshouses, more than half the police and the cost of administering criminal justice are for foreigners.
Topic: immigration

Cole takes this topic to heart because his ancestors were among the “dirt-poor Irish-Catholics” who moved to America in the 1960s but were fortunate because after fifteen years the prejudice faded away. Now, 140 years later, the author points out that a similar prejudice has returned with the exception that the focus has changed from “Irish Catholics and Germans” to “Latin Americans (most recently, Cubans), Haitians, and Arab-Americans.
Topic: immigration

Cole’s second “myth” is a misjudgment that “Immigrants take jobs from U.S. citizens.” This is a common misunderstanding Americans have about immigrants. It is easier for a person to point out that jobs are being taken away from U.S. citizens, Cole argues, than to admit that immigrants have indeed started successful business employing both citizens and immigrants alike. As documented by a 1994 A.C.L.U Immigrants’ Rights Project report, various studies prove that immigrants “create more jobs than they fill.” Cole mentions a study that found 78,000 new jobs were created in the Los Angeles County between 1970 and 1980 because of Mexican immigration. Cole comments how Governor Mario Cuomo of New York announced immigrants have provided thousands of jobs from 40,000 immigrant owned companies which provided “$3.5 billion to the state’s economy every year.”
Topic: immigration

Cole’s third “myth” includes the belief that “Immigrants are a drain on society’s resources.” Cole mentions that Americans feel immigrants should not receive government benefits, but according to a 1994 Urban Institute report, “immigrants generate significantly more in taxes paid than they cost in services received.” Studies demonstrate that taxes go to the federal government, states Cole, but when the “state and federal money” is distributed, the figures show no evidence about the cost of immigrants. The United States loses money on immigrants who recently moved to the county because they have not yet “made it.” For this reason, the author affirms that immigrants are a big advantage to the economy . Social programs are unavailable to undocumented immigrants, expresses Cole, but are granted rights to benefits of medical and nutritional care and education for children. Eliminating health care would “cost us more in the long run,” explains Cole.
Topic: immigration

Cole’s fourth “myth” involves he misconception that “Aliens refuse to assimilate, and are depriving us of our cultural and political unity.” Throughout history, immigrants have developed and created the “American culture” into what it is today, comments Cole. He quotes Supreme Court Justice Stephen Field for writing in 1984 that the Chinese “have remained among us a separate people, retaining their original peculiarities of dress, manners, habits, and modes of living, which are as marked as their complexion and language.” After five years, Field supported his remarks towards Chinese immigrants. Our society pressures immigrants to adapt to American culture, exerts Cole. For this reason, Cole raises the question is it ethical to “limit immigrants in a society” that is built upon the culture of past immigrants?
Topic: immigration

Cole’s final “myth” is “Noncitizen immigrants are not entitled to constitutional rights.” The Bill of Rights protects all people, Cole contends, only reserving for citizens the right to vote and run for a federal office position. In contrast, immigrants are still treated less than a U.S. citizen because they are foreigners. Cole points out that in 1893, the executive branch required Chinese laborers to prove their residency in the United States by the testimony of “at least one credible white witness” simply because “nonwhites could not be trusted.” Cole is handling a pending case in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that has the Clinton Administration arguing that legal immigrants living in the country should have no more First Amendment Rights than first-time immigrants coming into the United States “-that is, none.” Cole explains in an example that a non-citizen can be deported for expressing themselves the same way as a citizen is allowed to.
Topic: immigration

Canada is a very interesting country, mainly due to its diversity. The weather in Canada can be both freezing and very hot. Some land is rocky and mountainous, while other places are composed of flat, rolling hills. And in Canada, you can find many different races, from Asian to Latin, African to Indian. Canada is the most multicultural country in the world, and a lot of Canada’s development and success can be attributed to immigrants coming into Canada (Samuda, 1984). Yet not all people agree that multiculturalism has had only positive effects on Canada.
Topic: immigration

The Multicultural Policy in Canada states that all people are equal, and can participate as a member of society, regardless of racial, cultural, ethnic, or religious background. Multiculturalism strives to preserve people’s cultural identity, while at the same time ensuring that common Canadian values are upheld (Reitz, 1980). Canada’s policy on immigration has changed over the years, reflecting societal views and economical conditions. Yet no matter how much the policy changed, the effects of this policy are
Topic: immigration

very evident. Close to 10% of the adult population of Canada are visible minorities, and this amount is expected to double within the next twenty years (Satzewich, 1992). Visible minorities are “persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour” (Employment and Immigration Canada, 1987). This means that the immigrants coming into Canada are not only from European descent; rather, they are coming from other continents, such as Africa, South America, and Asia.
Topic: immigration

Before 1961, 90% of the immigrants coming into Canada were of European descent. Yet in 1981, Europeans only constituted for 25% of the immigrants coming into Canada (Satzewich, 1992). This means that 75% of immigrants coming into Canada in 1981 were from Asia, South America, etc. It is obvious that Canada’s policy on multiculturalism has had a profound effect on Canada and its people. However, does this mean that multiculturalism in Canada has had a positive effect on society?
Topic: immigration

Many will argue that Canada would be better off without its lenient attitude towards immigration and multiculturalism. There are several negative factors that are attributed to Canada’s multicultural policy. One of the main reasons why people believe that Canada’s multicultural policy does more harm than good is because it creates racism. By putting many different races together, all of which have different cultural and value differences, acts of discrimination and racism are bound to occur. Also, some immigrants bring with them histories of conflict in their home countries to Canada, which leads to problems that could include violence, hatred, and discrimination (Bibby, 1990). Rather than unite Canadians, these factors would only divide Canadian society.
Topic: immigration

Another main reason as to why some people view multiculturalism in Canada negatively is because it creates confusion and misunderstanding. Many people that come to Canada know only their native tongue, and their own countries rules and laws. Being introduced to Canadian laws, language and customs can prove to be quite the challenge. A third reason as to why not everyone supports multiculturalism is because of the fear of eroding traditional British heritage. Canada has close ties to its mother-nation Britain, and many believe that by allowing immigrants of different ethnic backgrounds into the country, the link between Canada and Britain will only weaken (Satzewich, 1992).
Topic: immigration

These are all examples of downsides to Canadian multiculturalism, yet there are many benefits that result from multiculturalism as well. The benefits of multiculturalism in Canada make up for the drawbacks. One of the downsides to multiculturalism was that it leads to racism. However, one of the positive effects of Canada’s policy is that there is, over time, less racism. This is due to the fact that once many different ethnic groups have been living with each other for some time, they begin to understand each other more, and therefore feel closer and more connected to each other (Samuda, 1984). This results in less racism and prejudice towards one another.
Topic: immigration

Another positive effect is that since there are many different cultures living with each other, people will benefit because they will learn more about different races, and will develop a greater understanding of the cultures around them (Samuda, 1984). For instance, a Hindu who only knows his own religion and way of life will see the way that other races live, and therefore his knowledge about other religions, countries, values, etc. will grow. This in turn allows the Hindu to have more freedom, because he now sees other ways of living, and can choose however he wants to live. This is a very important aspect of Canadian society: the ability to live freely, and to choose whatever religion and way of life you want.
Topic: immigration

All of the above benefits that multiculturalism has had on Canadian society are important, yet the main positive effect that multiculturalism has had on Canada is that it has basically shaped Canada into the country that we now know it as today. Without Canada’s multicultural policy, not very many immigrants would be coming to Canada. And without immigrants, Canada’s population would be very small, and its economy weak. Immigrants that come to Canada are beneficial to Canadian society because: they pay taxes, create jobs, and they add to Canada’s economy, among other things. Immigration into Canada is the main reason as to why Canada has become a successful country (Reitz, 1980).
Topic: immigration

Evidently, Canada has benefited from its multicultural policies, in particular its policies towards immigration. However, what is society’s attitude towards immigration? Back in the early 1900’s, foreigner’s were mostly seen as inferior. They were not treated the same as white people were (Bibby, 1990). So the question that should be asked is why were so many immigrants even allowed into Canada, if they were not wanted there? They were allowed to come simply because Canada needed workers. An easy solution to the increasing demands for labourers in Canada was to allow immigrants to come into the country to work (Bibby, 1990). After a few decades, these immigrants had contributed a large amount of their time, work, and money to Canada, and their efforts were not left unrecognized. This was around the time when Canada’s Multicultural Policy was composed, and later put into effect.
Topic: immigration

attitudes towards multiculturalism became more welcoming, while the last racial and ethnic barriers to Canadian immigration were removed. With immigrants mainly moving into large cities in Canada such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, cultural diversity was becoming increasingly evident in these major urban areas (Satzewich, 1992). Most immigrants moved into large cities because of two reasons: work was easier to find, and other people of the same ethnic background as them would be living there as well. Today, 90% of foreign-born Canadians live in one of Canada’s fifteen largest urban centers (Reitz, 1980).
Topic: immigration

Over the years, attitudes towards multiculturalism and immigration have changed, with many people now recognizing the benefits of a multicultural society. People are now looking towards the future, trying to see what effects multiculturalism will have on society within the next few decades. Of course, Canada’s policies towards immigration and multiculturalism will be affected by changes in social values and the economy over the next few decades. Throughout history, it is evident that immigration into Canada becomes more open and welcome when there is a need for a larger labour force (Bibby, 1990). No matter what policy is put into effect, one thing remains clear: the more Canadian society becomes culturally and racially mixed, the greater the need for tolerance and acceptance for one another as fellow Canadians. A multicultural policy that meets the needs of both long-time residents and the newly arrived will prove to be the most successful policy (Samuda, 1984).
Topic: immigration

After reviewing this information about multiculturalism in Canada, one can clearly see that multiculturalism is an important aspect of Canadian society, and society has benefited immensely due to Canada’s policies towards immigration and multiculturalism. While there will always be negative opinions towards multiculturalism in Canada, the majority of Canadians recognize the importance of Canada’s multicultural policies, and support them in their entirety (Bibby, 1990). Because Canada’s population is composed of so many different racial backgrounds, the future of Canada depends on the commitments of all its citizens to a strong and unified Canadian identity, while still keeping their own culture and unique way of life. As it does so presently and as it has done so in the past, multiculturalism will continue to benefit Canadian society, making the quality of life better and more fulfilling to all Canadians.
Topic: immigration

The Gilded Age, or as it is commonly referred to as, the era of corruption, took place in 1877 to 1900. This time period was most effectively portrayed in the novel and movie, The Gangs of New York, which was written by Herbert Asbury. The Gangs of New York focused on a time of politicalcorruption during a period of massive increase in immigration in New York. In this essay I will discuss three themes: immigration, Political machines, and bad situations, that helped contribute to corruptions long vibrant history.
Topic: immigration

Due mainly to famine and disease, immigration increased tremendously during the Gilded Age in three large waves to the United States. The first wave occurred from 1815 to 1860, an estimated five million immigrants, mostly English, Irish and Germanic, arrived to the United States. The second wave of immigrants started from 1865- 1890, ten million more immigrants from northwestern Europe arrived to the United States. Finally, the third wave, between the time period 1890 and 1914 consisted of 15 million Turkish, Russian, Jewish, and Italian immigrants.
Topic: immigration

People became more desperate and willing to just get ends meet. For example, in The Gangs of New York, people similar to Cameron Diaz’s character, the accomplished female pickpocket, Gangs like the Dead Rabbit and Bill The Butcher emerged from this society by using violence and theft to survive. Thus politicians took full advantage of this by offering jobs and civil services in return for political favors. Even today government is plagued by corruption, by getting certain bills and laws passed; politicians obtain favors for their work.
Topic: immigration

The height of political corruption in the Gilded Age was greatly due to political machines. Political machines usually had one, or sometimes several bosses, which oversaw all operations. Under the political boss are election district captains and district bosses, which would be in charge of mobilizing the people and helping the boss make decisions. The other part of the machine would consist of loyalist, who receive the civil service and support the boss. One of the strongest political machines was in New York; Tammany Hall stayed in power from the mid 18th century to the 20th century and was also featured in The Gangs of New York. The last and also one of the most powerful bosses of Tammany Hall was Boss Tweed.
Topic: immigration

Tweed was notorious for many things, one was his nose, and the other was kickbacks. A kickback is a term referred to the money the political machine received for granting contracts to real estate and other projects. The machine will give out a contract, for example a building or bridge. The government will donate money they raise by raising taxes to have the project finished. As a favor returned for the contract, the company who received the contract must give money to the political machine. The machine also takes advantage of the immigrants by giving free bread to immigrants, and giving them jobs for votes to ensure their power.
Topic: immigration

Fires, hunger and any situation that a political figure could use to obtains voters contributed to corruption as well. Politicians would set fires, and show up before the fire engines and help take down the fire in front of the public. Politicians would also give the victims money to get back on their feet. Although these seem like generous gestures, the politicians are only looking for another vote. They would hand out bread to the hungry and promote their name. However, something can not always go wrong for a politician to save the day, so eventually bad situations would be staged to allow a politician the chance to obtain future voters. For example, President George W. Bush’s approval rating soared after waging war with terrorism. An example in The Gangs of New York when the fire broke out, the politicians arrived immediately, and at first hid the fire hydrant, so he could appear to be the hero instead of extinguishing the fire first.
Topic: immigration

As immigration rose in Gilded Age, opportunities were harder to come by thus increasing reciprocity and more chances for corruption. Political machines became in power, basically a business of corruption. Corruption spread in all forms of government even the police. Bad situations also influenced corruption, in that, politicians made sure these unfortunates happened, to make them appear as heroes in order to obtain votes. Thus immigration, political machines, and bad situations have all contributed to corruptions long and vibrant history.
Topic: immigration

All throughout Canada in the 20th Century there have been numerous events, actions and decisions that we call defining moments. Canada has been through many battles, very hard chosen decisions, and gone through many changes that have changed the way Canadians live today. The battle of Vimy Ridge, the life on the home front in World War One, the invasion of D-day, and the impact of immigration were the most important defining moments for Canada in the 20th Century. Vimy Ridge is now called a Canadian Milestone.
Topic: immigration

It was one of the notable moments because it brought world recognition and a strong sense of patriotism towards Canada. The battle of Vimy Ridge took place at Vimy Ridge and was on Easter Monday, 1917. There had been more than just one battle over the Ridge. The French had tried to win the Ridge three different times, but they were not successful. In fact, none of the countries were. When it came time for Canada, they used a new and different approach.
Topic: immigration

With the winning of the Ridge, Canada got more independence that changed the way people thought of Canada. One Canadian soldier at the battle recalled: “The winning of the Ridge gave every man a feeling of pride. A national spirit was born; we were Canadian and could do a good job of paddling our own canoe.”1. The Canadians had won the only significant victory for the Allies in 1917. It was a turning point in the war for the Allies and for Canada as a nation. The beginning of World War One had a great impact on the living conditions back on the home front in Canada. While the war was going on, it was a totally different situation back at the home front in Canada. Since most of the men were at war fighting overseas for their country, things had to change for the women of Canada.
Topic: immigration

They had to help out their country in different ways then 1. Evans, R., Fielding, J. Canada. (Canada: Nelson Thomas Learning, 2000), 82 fighting. Many of the women helped by knitting warm clothing and making bandages for the distribution by the military. They also contributed by organizing numerous committees and became unofficial military recruiters, pressed by posters appealing to wives and the patriotic mothers of the war. Many of the women took on jobs that had been considered men’s work before the war started. They started working in factories and took up all kinds of laboring jobs. The role of Canadian women in the war also gave them additional ammunition in their own campaign for their right to vote. Until 1917, the Canadian law stated that “No women, idiot, lunatic, or criminal shall vote.”2. Women winning the right to vote changed the way that people felt about women. Before the war, their job was to stay at home to cook, clean, look after their men and children. The men had always worked and supported their family. Without World One starting, women today may still be living the same way because they would have not had the chance to show everyone that they were capable of doing men’s jobs and have to the right to vote.
Topic: immigration

D-day was considered as the turning point of World War Two to many people. Operation Overload took place June 6, 1944 in Normandy, France. The invasion was supposed to start June 5th, but got postponed due to weather. The Allies had learned from the disaster at Dieppe, that this time that they had to plan and rehearse the invasion down to the smallest detail. It was a long-awaited invasion that the Canadians knew they could do right and try to forget the tragic loss at Dieppe. They had managed to keep the whole invasion a secret from the Germans. The Normandy beach of northern France was the selected site for the invasion. Although Canadian forces were smaller then the other Allied forces, their contribution to the invasion of Operation Overload was critical. Most of the Canadian contributed by landing on Juno Beach, where the landing went pretty smooth. The invading force was supported by a large amount of artillery firepower given by Allied ships. There had also been a special landing craft equipped to fire rockets on the Germans. The Canadians faced underwater obstacles, land mines, barbed wire, and heavy machine-gun fire from the Germans. Canadians managed to get through all this and move inland.
Topic: immigration

This was a great victory for Canada because at the end of the day they had been the 2. Bain, C.M., DesRivieres, D., Flanerty, P., et al. Making History. (Toronto: Pearson, 2000), 33 only Allied troops to reach their D-day objectives. The terrific progress that was made from the landing on Juno Beach was the most important start that led other great things to start happening for D-day. Later on in D-day, Canadians were given the task to liberate the Netherlands. The Canadians did an extraordinary job on that order. Facing defeat, Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945 and Hitler then committed suicide. Most say that it was the turning point that signaled the end of the war. By doing such a great job during D-day it let Canadians liberate other countries and made Canadians really feel good about their country. One of the most important changes of all in Canada was the impact of immigration. In 1967, Canada had made a new immigration policy. Immigrates were chosen by a point system based on an education and employment perspective. Canada needed people with training and specific skills.
Topic: immigration

Under this system, applicants were given points according to criteria such as age, education, ability to speak English or French, and the current demand for any specific job skills the applicant possessed. Those who received enough points were allowed to immigrate to Canada. Letting immigrants in the country really enriched Canadians lives with contributions to food, fashion, religion, education, and politics. Immigrants came in significant numbers from places varied as Pakistan, Hong Kong, India, China and the Caribbean. In 1976 the Immigration Act was changed to allow immigrants in Canada with family members to come to Canada and encourage independent immigrants who were bringing needed job skills. This really helped out Canada and used the immigrants to help work in Industry. Multiculturalism came into effect when immigrants starting coming to Canada. For some Canadians it made them feel uncomfortable at first, but later on became familiar with it.
Topic: immigration

The Immigration Act was also a response to Canada’s economic needs. Canada’s birth rate and the size of Canadian families started to increase. The Immigration Act was a way for the federal government to keep Canada’s population and encourage economic growth. From the Act, Canada is now friends with a lot more different countries. Those counties are willing to help out Canada when in need of help and Canada will do the same. In conclusion, the four most significant, defining moments in Canada in the 20th Century were the battle of Vimy Ridge, the life on the home front during World War One, the invasion of D-day, and the Immigration Act.
Topic: immigration

In the battle of Vimy Ridge, we grew to be our own nation, brought world recognition and gave Canadians their own thought of patriotism. The life on the home front during World War One was important because it was then when women had a new role to play. They got to vote and had all kinds of jobs that would usually be men’s work. The invasion of d-day was a signaled turning point to end the war. Canadians played a great role in the invasion. The impact of Immigration helped a lot by enriching Canada with their contributions to food, fashion, religion, education, business, politics and many more. All these moments were significant for Canada and changed the way that Canadians live today.
Topic: immigration

Illegal immigrants are the people who enter the country with undocumented or in the illegal ways. Legal foreign workers also can become illegal immigrants as their visa expired due to overstay in the destination country. Those illegal immigrants are not just a few. As of April 2012, the Malaysian government is said to have recorded 3.1 million foreign workers in the country, of which two-thirds are illegal foreigners (The New Straits Times, 12 April 2012) Hence, the presences of that huge amount of illegal immigrants had made some impact on our country economic condition.