Immigration Cartoons From American History Answer Key Pdf
Introduction
Immigration is a hot button topic in America and has been for centuries. There have been times when it was embraced and times when it was restricted. Regardless of the laws, one thing that has remained constant is the use of political cartoons to express opinions and attitudes towards immigration. This article will take a look at some of the most famous immigration cartoons from American history and provide an answer key pdf for teachers or individuals interested in using them as educational resources.
The Yellow Peril
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was a fear in America of the "Yellow Peril." This referred to the fear of Asian immigrants, particularly those from China and Japan. A popular political cartoon from the time depicts an octopus with the heads of different Asian nations, each with a caption blaming them for certain vices. The cartoon was meant to stoke fear and xenophobia towards these groups.
The New Colossus
The Statue of Liberty is often seen as a symbol of America's openness to immigrants. However, a political cartoon from 1903 called "The New Colossus" challenges that idea. The cartoon shows Lady Liberty holding a sword with the word "restriction" on it, while a group of immigrants are kept out by a rope with the word "exclusion" on it. The cartoon was a commentary on the Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited all Chinese immigrants from entering the United States.
The Melting Pot
The idea of the United States being a "melting pot" of different cultures and backgrounds is a common one. However, in the early 1900s, there were concerns about the impact of immigration on American society. A political cartoon from 1908 shows Uncle Sam stirring a pot labeled "the melting pot" while different immigrant groups are added. The final panel shows a figure labeled "American man" being poured out of the pot, suggesting that all the different cultures are being blended together into one homogenous American identity.
The Hispanic Threat
Today, there is a lot of debate around immigration from Latin American countries. However, this is not a new issue. In the early 1900s, there was a fear of a "Hispanic threat." A political cartoon from 1910 shows Uncle Sam looking out at the viewer while surrounded by a group of Hispanic men with sinister expressions. The caption reads "Can we assimilate these?" implying that there was doubt about whether or not Hispanic immigrants could ever truly become "American."
Conclusion
Immigration has always been a controversial issue in America, and political cartoons have been used throughout history to express opinions and attitudes towards it. By examining these cartoons, we can see the way that immigration has been portrayed and how those portrayals have influenced public opinion. By providing an answer key pdf for teachers or individuals interested in using these cartoons as educational resources, we can continue to have important conversations about immigration in America today.
