Beyond the Huddled Masses: American Immigration and the Treaty of Versailles (International Library of Twentieth Century History)

"This work uncovers the human history underlying the state actions on immigration. It is a vivid and varied new look at some of the most shaping forces in American history and identity, and offers important new perspective on early twentieth century American-European relations. How did American isolationism after the Treaty of Versailles, accentuated by stringent immigration restrictions predominantly against Asians and Europeans, work to shape American identity? "Beyond the Huddled Masses" is a vivid look at the connection between the results of the Paris Peace Conference and the Immigration Acts of 1921 and 1924. Kristofer Allerfeldt identifies the threads of nativism, anti-Bolshevism, self-determination and fear that ran through America's participation in the Paris Peace Conference and then manifested themselves openly through the Immigration Acts. He taps into the early twentieth century American psyche to explore the rationalisation for the extreme policies of isolationism that so characterised the inter-war years in the United States."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Beyond The Huddled Masses Is A Vivid Look At The Connection Between The Results Of The Paris Peace Conference And The Immigration Acts Of 1921 And 1924. Kristofer Allerfeldt Brings New Insight To The Human History Behind The Immigration Acts, Arguing That The Divisions Created By The Peace Process Swayed American Popular And Political Opinion Against Its Previous Open Door Policy. Investigating Themes Of Radicalism, Racism And Nationalism, He Argues That Wilson's Policies In Paris And His Attempts To Win American Support For Them Made The Xenophobia And Tribalism Of The 1920s Inevitable. The Attempt To Foist Idealistic Interventionism On A Nation Reeling From War, Driven By Strikes, Terrorised By Bomb-throwing Radicals And Anticipating A Huge Upsurge In Immigration, Was Bound To Provoke An Isolationist Backlash Against Those Foreigners Held Responsible For These Assaults On American Values.--jacket. American Immigration And The New World Order -- The Persistence Of Enemy Europe -- The American Race. Kristofer Allerfeldt. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [240]-251) And Index. This book takes a close look at the connection between the results of the Paris Peace Conference and the Immigration Acts of 1921 and 1924. Kristofer Allerfeldt identifies the threads of nativism, anti-Bolshevism, self-determination and fear that ran through America's participation in the Paris Peace Conference and then manifested themselves openly through the Immigration Acts. He taps into the early twentieth century American psyche to explore the rationalization for the extreme policies of isolationism that so characterized the inter-war years in the United States. Introduction - 1 -- Part 1: American Immigration and the New World Order - 7 -- Part 2: The Persistence of Enemy Europe - 45 -- Part 3: The American Race - 135 -- Part 4: Conclusion - 205 -- Endnotes - 209 -- Select Bibliography - 240 -- Index - 252 While queuing in the slowly snaking and seemingly endless line to have our passports examined at Washington Dulles airport, I overheard one of my fellow British passengers complain to his wife that he 'felt like an immigrant'.