The SS Quanza and European War Refugees

In 1940, with events in Europe escalating, Americans debated the merits of expanding immigration for refugees hoping to come to the United States. Legislation passed in 1924 set quotas on the number of immigrants coming from other countries. In 1939, the ship St. Louis was refused landing in both Cuba and the United States, sending all the passengers back to Europe where 254 lost their lives.

In September 1940, another ship, the Quanza, attempted to bring refugees to safety. In this activity you will explore policies that influenced U.S. Government decisions about refugees, the roles of private citizens and the refugees themselves in influencing policy, and the result of these efforts.

Carefully analyze each document below (click on the “Open in New Window” icon on each image to view details and more information). Then place the documents in chronological order. For the Alien Registration Act of 1940, pay special attention to the second paragraph of Title III, Sec. 30.

You will need to use what you learned by analyzing each document to answer the questions under “When You’re Done.”