The Sacco and Vanzetti Case

The Sacco and Vanzetti case became a symbol of the prejudices and injustices faced by immigrants in early 20th century America. What were Sacco and Vanzetti accused of? On April 15, 1920, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were arrested and charged with the murder of a paymaster and a security guard during a factory robbery in South Braintree, Massachusetts.

Highlight: The case gained significant attention due to the controversial nature of the evidence and the defendants' anarchist beliefs.

The prosecution's case relied on eyewitness identifications, the defendants' possession of guns, and ballistic evidence. However, the defense argued that several other men had confessed to the crime, and 107 witnesses testified that they had seen Sacco and Vanzetti elsewhere at the time of the murders.

Quote: "Several other men confessed to the crime."

Despite questionable evidence and potential bias, the jury delivered guilty verdicts. What happened to Sacco and Vanzetti? They were executed by electric chair on August 22, 1927, despite widespread protests and appeals.

Highlight: In 1977, the Governor of Massachusetts granted Sacco and Vanzetti a full pardon, acknowledging the prejudice against immigrants in the legal system.

Labor Unrest and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment

The early 1920s saw significant labor unrest, which further fueled anti-immigrant sentiment. Major events included:

1. Boston Police Strike (1919): 1,100 officers went on strike, protesting poor working conditions and pay.
2. Steel Strike (1919): Involved 350,000 workers demanding better conditions.
3. Wall Street Bombing (September 1920): An explosion in New York's financial district killed 38 people, heightening fears of anarchist violence.

Highlight: These events were often portrayed by the press as un-American and linked to communist influence, exacerbating the Red Scare.

The association of labor unrest with immigrant communities and radical political ideologies contributed to the growing support for restrictive immigration policies and increased surveillance of foreign-born residents.

Legacy of Early 20th Century Immigration Policies

The immigration policies and social attitudes of the early 20th century had lasting impacts on American society:

1. Demographic shifts: The restrictions dramatically altered the ethnic composition of immigrant populations entering the United States.

2. Cultural impact: The "melting pot" ideal gave way to more complex understandings of cultural integration and diversity.

3. Civil liberties: The excesses of the Red Scare and cases like Sacco and Vanzetti led to increased awareness of civil liberties issues.

4. Ellis Island history: The role of Ellis Island evolved, eventually closing as a primary immigration processing center in 1954.

Question: Where did immigrants go after Ellis Island closed?

After Ellis Island's closure, immigration processing was handled by U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, marking a significant shift in immigration procedures.

These policies and events shaped American immigration debates for decades to come, influencing discussions on national identity, assimilation, and the rights of immigrants that continue to this day.