Emergency Quota Act 1921, National Origins Act 1924

How did the immigration laws of the 1920s reflect American attitudes toward immigrants and shape the nation’s future? This document activity examines the background and impact of the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and the National Origins Act of 1924. Students will analyze primary and secondary source documents. They’ll then answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge.

Included in this resource:

Do Now - 1921 immigration primary source political cartoon analysis with scaffolding questions
Restricting Immigration reading passage with scaffolding graphic organizer questions
Document analysis activity
Document #1: Emergency Quota Act 1921 excerpt with scaffolding questions
Document #2: National Origins Act 1924 excerpt with scaffolding questions
Document #3: “It’s Going to be Just Turned Around” 1924 political cartoon analysis with scaffolding questions
Document #4: Uncle Sam’s POV on the Emergency Quota Act with scaffolding questions
Document #5: Uncle Sam’s POV on the National Origins Act with scaffolding questions
Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: Why did the immigration restrictions of the 1920s have a lasting impact on American society and culture?
Answer key for teachers (suggested)

★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you!

©2025 A Social Studies Life

For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.