Chapter 44

Labor Statistics has done valuable work in finding employment for immigrants in rural districts. Much remains to be done, however.

The school, of course, is an important agent of Americanization. Whether or not the immigrant retains his old-country language, he ought to learn to speak, read and write English. The school is likewise an important means of instructing the newcomers and their children in the essentials of American history and government. Where the school is being used as a real community center, the institution becomes truly a method of introducing the foreign-born to the everyday activities of American life. The increasing emphasis upon the racial traits of different immigrant groups, with a view to encouraging unique contributions to the culture of the community, deserves special notice.

Americanization measures of the type touched upon in this section help to build the nation on a sound foundation of friendly and intelligent co÷peration.

QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT

1. What proportion of our population is foreign-born? What proportion is native?

2. Distinguish between the "old" and the "new" immigration.

3. Describe the increasing volume of immigration.

4. Outline the distribution of immigrants in this country.

5. What are the economic effects of immigration?

6. Explain the relation of immigration to the wages and standard of living of American workmen.

7. What are the social effects of immigration?

8. What factors impede the assimilation of the "new" immigrants?

9. What classes of aliens are excluded from this country? What is "contract labor"?

10. What is the nature of Asiatic immigration? Why are Asiatics excluded?

11. Does it seem likely that the immigration problem will be more or less acute in the future? Why?

12. What should be our attitude toward immigration?

13. What is the chief aim of a good Americanization program?

REQUIRED READINGS

1. Williamson, _Readings in American Democracy_, chapter xx.

Or all of the following:

2. _Annals_ of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, vol. xciii, pages 134-138, 156-161.

3. Burch and Patterson, _American Social Problems_, chapters ix and x.

4. Ellwood, _Sociology and Modern Social Problems_, chapter x.

5. Roberts, _The Problem of Americanization_, chapters iii and iv.

QUESTIONS ON THE REQUIRED READINGS

1. Define a foreigner. (_Annals_, page 135.)

2. What is Professor Walker's theory of immigration? (Burch and Patterson, pages 95-96.)

3. Compare the "old" and the "new" immigration in 1882. (Ellwood, page 217.)

4. Compare the "old" and the "new" immigration in 1907. (Ellwood, page 218.)

5. What are the three most important groups of immigrants at the present time? (Burch and Patterson, pages 108-111.)

6. What is the extent of illiteracy among the immigrant population? (Burch and Patterson, pages 115-116.)

7. Discuss the occupational distribution of immigrants. (Ellwood, pages 223-224.)

8. What is the "racial" argument against unrestricted immigration? (Ellwood, pages 234-235.)

9. How can the average citizen help in the Americanization movement? (Roberts, pages 45-47.)

10. Why should the Americanization worker make himself familiar with the condition under which the immigrant works? (Roberts, pages 48-53.)

11. What is the significance of the club life of immigrant groups? (Roberts, pages 57-61.)

12. What is the importance of the "advisory council" in Americanization work? (Roberts, pages 86-87.)

TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION AND REPORT

1. Classify the residents of your community according as they are (a) Foreign born (b) Native-born children of foreign-born parents, or (c) Natives.

2. Study your community with the aim of determining whether or not the character of its immigrant class has changed within the last twenty- five years.

3. Classify the immigrant groups of your community on the basis of occupation. Notice in particular the proportion of immigrants engaged in agriculture and in the trained professions.

4. Make a visit to a near-by foreign colony, and report to the class upon your observations.

5. Interview the officials of a trade union on the effect of Unrestricted immigration upon wages.

6. Draw up a workable plan for the redistribution of immigrants in your state.

7. Draw up a plan for an Americanization survey in your state. (Write to the Bureau of Education in the U. S. Department of the Interior, for Bulletin, 1919, No. 77, on State Americanization.)

8. Race elements in the population of the American colonies. (Commons, _Races and Immigrants in America_, chapter ii.)

9. History of immigration to the United States. (Any standard text on immigration.)

10. The journey to America. (Abbot, _The Immigrant and the Community_,