One important change in the United States during World War I was the high amount of immigrant workers that went on strike at the steel mills. Although not very extensive, Foner’s coverage of the topic does show some important points.  He does state that most of the workers who were on strike were immigrants and that the strike led to much anti-immigrant sentiment among native-born workers. The bosses of the steel companies fed this anti-immigrant sentiment by conducting anti-immigrant propaganda campaigns that ultimately led to a large opposition to the strike (which eventually collapsed in the early 1920’s).

1. Why is it that most of the strikers were immigrants?

2. Why were so many people opposed to the strike?