Essay Sample on Mexican Immigration From 1900 to 1920s

Introduction

Immigration to the US is the massive movement of non-US international citizens to America for permanent residence. Many individuals often migrate to other nations either to escape harsh conditions or attain improved living conditions. The period between 1900 and 1920s saw immense emigration from the Mexican community to America. During the period both United States of America and Mexico were dealing with the diverse socio-economic and political transformation that either made the citizens uncomfortable and aggressive or peaceful and progressive (Donato, 158). Many Mexicans migrated to America due to several reasons such as to search for greener pastures like better housing and improved living conditions while others were forced by the harsh economic conditions and the unbearable political deposition. The punitive pecuniary condition implemented by the autocratic president, Porfirio Diaz created colossal poverty in Mexico, which pushed many Mexicans to immigrate to America. Throughout 1900, Mexicans, who were majorly peasant farmers depended on the communally owned lands to benefit the greater community. However, the economic reforms introduced by President Porfirio Diaz resulted in the confiscation of the lands and selling them to large development companies. The loss of the communal land made many individuals resort to manual labour and low wage works like toiling in the mines, railways, and ranches which caused great devastation (Donato, 159). The loss of land also negatively caused population explosion between 1875 and 1910, which saw the population of Mexicans increase by 50 percent (Donato, 174). Nevertheless, the increase in population due to idleness and lack of commitment only caused an increase in the level of poverty and surplus of labor that led to a decline in wages during inflation of fundamental foodstuff. Therefore, the increased suffering, low wages, inadequate food, and great inflation consequently pushed the farmers out of Mexico to America to search for a better life.

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Additionally, the Mexican Civil War of 1910 substantially pushed many Mexicans to America as it resulted in massive bloodshed and insecurity in the country. President Porfirio Diaz administration marginalized the urban poor by significantly promoting industrialization, modernization that adamantly contributed to social inequality. For instance, Diaz encouraged the revitalization of the mining industry and the construction of approximately 15 thousand miles of railway road at the expense of the health, living condition and the progress of the citizens which angered many people (Acuna, 161). The 10 yeas war that ended with the resignation and exile of President Porfirio Diaz caused many socio-economic and political disruptions in Mexico. For instance, starvation loomed in the country due to lack of food, many women and children were forcefully kidnaped, tortured and raped. The revolutionary movement led by Francisco I. Madero against the dictatorship of Diaz incumbent government led to harsh conditions for both the peasant class and the elites in the country pushing many citizens out of the country. Despite ousting out the incumbent president, who consequently promoted authoritarianism, creation of division between the poor and the rich, and the seizure of peasant farmers' communal land by the foreign investors, within the first 6 months, the revolutionary leaders that lacked ideological focus failed in their attempt at democratic country leading to constant disagreement, conflicts and great division. The war saw approximately 890,000 citizens immigrate to America for safety, peace, and security to constant assassinations of political leaders, degradation of the country's economic status, political instability and socio-cultural corruption in Mexico. Therefore, the political factors like the Mexican Civil War of 1910 to 1920 pushed many citizens to the United States of America to escape the deplorable and dreadful conditions in Mexico.

Furthermore, the socio-economic and political condition in the United States of America also greatly encouraged many immigrants especially Mexicans to stream in the country. For instance, the political status in the US during 1914 when America faced the World War I created massive job and employment opportunities for immigrants especially Mexicans that were viewed to have positive qualities like being taciturn, docile, physically strong and able to keep with the economic pressure. The WWI forced many Americans to focus on facilitating the forces by focusing on industrial development while abandoning the agricultural sector of the economy. For instance, mobilization of the citizens to contribute to both WWI and WWII affected every sector of the American economy as it created labor shortage in the country forcing the government to encourage and allow Mexicans immigrants who could help in the development of the country through occupying the agricultural sector of the economy such as cultivation of cotton, Vegetables, and fruits that could support people within and abroad, as most of them were farmers back in Mexico. It is acknowledgeable that the Great Depression that caused increased demand for labor substantially pulled the Mexicans to emigrate from Mexico. Nevertheless, despite seeming exploitive, the US government required massive cheap labor which seemed as an employment opportunity for many Mexicans who quickly crossed to America, helping in the growth and development of the US socio-economic and political stability. Therefore, regardless of the negative pressure from Mexico that forced its citizens to flee, America adequately pulled or attracted the Mexicans into the country to provide cheap labor.

Moreover, the establishment of conducive immigrant policies in America significantly attracted many Mexicans to the US. The formulation of programs to help the immigrant secure more steady jobs in America prompted the US government to establish a symbiotic rapport with the Mexican government. For instance, the United States government established the Bracero program that was intended to stimulate and regulate the Mexican immigrants in the US while acknowledging and encouraging workers to become signatory with the Bracero Program. The Bracero Program guaranteed basic benefits to the immigrants such as adequate housing, health insurance, and minimum wage despite prohibiting some freedom like working in the unapproved industries apart from the designated agricultural and railway industries (Donato, 159). Nevertheless, compared to the harsh conditions in Mexico, the Bracero Program in America encouraged many individuals to flee the country as it promised eradication of unemployment that had been a great problem in Mexico making citizens resort into social vices like crime, violence, and murder. It also promised reduced suffering and degradation of health as the guaranteed health insurance would significantly improve the life expectancy to 99% compared to Mexico's 55% while the immigrants would also be safe from environmental disasters and threats. Therefore, such provisions adamantly pulled Mexicans to emigrate from Mexico to America

Conclusion

Conclusively the pull and push factors coincidently contributed to the Mexicans immigrants to America. Internal factors such as Mexican's political instability, economic depreciation, social oppression forces many citizens to flee the country. The prolonged Mexican Revolution that instigated suffering, social injustice and violence pushed Mexicans to search for alternatives. However, despite the pressure from Mexico, America's socio-economic and political stability pulled immigrants that were searching for either employment, solace or security. Therefore, the Mexican Civil War, economic decline, social problems in Mexico and the need for labor in America encouraged immigration to the USA.

Works Cited

Acuna, R.F. Occupied America: A History of Chicanos. Eighth edition. New York, NY: Pearson. 2015.

Donato, Katharine M. A dynamic view of Mexican migration to the United States. Immigrant Women. Routledge, 2018. 151-174.