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Quiz for American Voices: Jewish Immigrants in the Industrial Economy

Question

1. The firsthand accounts included in this feature suggest that Jewish immigrants shared which of the following characteristics?

Most were unskilled laborers.

Many were highly educated.

They migrated from Europe to the United States with large families.

They came to the United States with some financial resources.

Correct. The answer is a. These firsthand accounts all describe individuals who came to the United States to seek jobs as unskilled laborers working in warehouses, factories, and as peddlers.

Incorrect. The answer is a. These firsthand accounts all describe individuals who came to the United States to seek jobs as unskilled laborers working in warehouses, factories, and as peddlers.

Question

2. As suggested by these sources, which of the following factors was particularly important for an immigrant’s ability to achieve economic success in his new location?

Membership in a local synagogue

Access to English language classes

Assistance from generous local connections

Motivation and the desire to work hard

Correct. The answer is c. These accounts suggest that immigrants who were able to forge connections with generous locals had greater success at finding employment and establishing their lives. Those who did not have such connections sought help in making them.

Incorrect. The answer is c. These accounts suggest that immigrants who were able to forge connections with generous locals had greater success at finding employment and establishing their lives. Those who did not have such connections sought help in making them.

Question

3. For which of the following reasons might Jewish immigrants in Atlanta and New Orleans have had greater difficulty finding adequate employment than those in Detroit, Portland, or Cleveland?

White southerners discriminated as heavily against Jews as against blacks.

Southern workplaces were already fully staffed with skilled white workers.

Industrial and manufacturing operations were relatively rare in the South.

Jewish immigrant workers were generally unwilling to work with non-Jews.

Correct. The answer is c. Compared to northern cities, southern cities had very few manufacturing operations in the late nineteenth century, and consequently, there were fewer jobs available for unskilled immigrants. For this reason, European migrants from all backgrounds preferred northern cities for their American destinations.

Incorrect. The answer is c. Compared to northern cities, southern cities had very few manufacturing operations in the late nineteenth century, and consequently, there were fewer jobs available for unskilled immigrants. For this reason, European migrants from all backgrounds preferred northern cities for their American destinations.

Question

4. The needs and demands of industrial workers, like those described in these firsthand accounts, would have been best served by which of the following organizations?

The American Federation of Labor

The Farmers’ Alliance

The National Grange

The Knights of Labor

Correct. The answer is d. The most important union of the late nineteenth century, the Knights of Labor, demanded workplace safety laws, the prohibition of child labor, a federal tax on the nation’s highest incomes, and government recognition of workers’ right to organize. It included skilled craftsmen and unskilled laborers and practiced open membership, irrespective of race, gender, or field of employment.

Incorrect. The answer is d. The most important union of the late nineteenth century, the Knights of Labor, demanded workplace safety laws, the prohibition of child labor, a federal tax on the nation’s highest incomes, and government recognition of workers’ right to organize. It included skilled craftsmen and unskilled laborers and practiced open membership, irrespective of race, gender, or field of employment.