Реферат: The History Of Mexican Immigration Essay Research

The first phase of Mexican immigration lasted from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. “Between 1877 and 1910, it is

estimated that the population of Mexico increased by six million. Mexican haceinda size increased on average from

12,000 to 20,000 acres, some as large as 250,000 acres” (Miller 28). This led to less and less land for rural farmers

who owned 7.7 percent of the total Mexican land, but made the vast majority of the population. In 1910 it was estimated

that a Mexican farm workers purchasing power was one fourteenth that of an American Farm worker of the same class.

The use of Mexicans on American farms began in the late 1880’s when the sugar beet industry was introduced to

California. “Mexicans were used because, American laborers refused to accept such backbreaking work” (Miller 28).

The Dingley Tariff Act of 1897 stimulated immigration to the United States. This act allowed the sugar beet industry to

become very profitable through the use of inexpensive Mexican labor.

Mexican immigration to the U.S. was also stimulated by the Mexican revolution of 1909-1910. People trying to flee

persecution fled to the United States, along with people trying to escape the blood shed and major change.

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s Japanese and Chinese immigration to the United States was thwarted by new foreign

policy imposed on the two nations. The two groups made up most of the railway work force. Mexicans were used to

supplement their departure from this business. At this stage Mexicans made up most of the railway work force in the

southwest. Between 35,000 and 50,000 Mexicans were employed by the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe lines.

Mexicans were usually referred to as peons . They were thought to be lazy, docile, and lacking ambition. “The Mexican,”

reported economist Victor S. Clark in 1908, “is docile, patient, usually orderly in camp, fairly intelligent under

competent supervision, obedient and cheap. If he was active and ambitious, he would be less tractable and would cost

more. His strongest point is his willingness to work for a low wage” (Reisler 25).

There was a small number of Americans who thought otherwise. Protestant missionaries trying to convert Mexicans said

Americans could learn from Mexicans. “They emphasized the Mexican artistic and musical ability and his love of beauty”

(Reisler 27-28).

In 1930 Congress passed a quota bill curtailing the number of Mexican immigrants allowed to enter the United States.

This ended the first phase of Mexican immigration. “Perhaps as much as ten percent of Mexico’s population

approximately one and a half million people [immigrated] to the U.S. between 1900 and 1930″ (Reisler 23).

Between the first and second phase of Mexican immigration 350,000 to 500,000 Mexicans went to back to their native

lands during the great depression.

The Second Phase of Mexican Immigration to The United States- The Bracero Program

The second phase of Mexican immigration came around the end of World War II with the Mexico Contract laborers, better