Question

Why did the International Workers of the World (IWW) gain such influence in Washington?

Answer 1

How did the Asian Exclusion Act of 1924 foreshadow policies toward Japanese Americans during World War II?

Answer 2

The International Workers of the World (IWW) gained influence in Washington because they were a radical labor organization that advocated for the rights of workers and sought to overthrow capitalism. They also organized cross-industry strikes and protests, which garnered the attention of the media and politicians. Additionally, the IWW was able to mobilize a diverse coalition of workers, including immigrants, women, and minorities, which gave them significant political power. Finally, the IWW's ideology resonated with many people during a time of widespread economic hardship and social inequality, and their message of solidarity and collective action inspired many to join their cause.

Answer 3

The Asian Exclusion Act of 1924 banned all immigration from Asia, including Japan, which was a significant source of tension between Japan and the United States. The law also prevented Japanese Americans from bringing over family members from Japan. This Act allowed for the institutionalization of anti-Japanese sentiment and fear in the United States. It marked Japanese Americans as outsiders, as a community that could never fully integrate into American society.

During World War II, the U.S. government used this anti-Japanese sentiment to justify the internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens. The government painted Japanese Americans as potential saboteurs and security risks. However, it is important to note that there was no evidence that Japanese Americans presented any threat to national security. The internment was a result of racism and xenophobia and not due to any actual threat posed by Japanese Americans.

In conclusion, the Asian Exclusion Act of 1924 foreshadowed the policies of exclusion and discrimination that Japanese Americans faced during World War II. It created a precedent for institutionalizing anti-Japanese sentiment and fear and laid the groundwork for the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans.