This document looks at immigration and prejudice in London during the time of Jack the Ripper. Looking at key issues such as anti-Semitism and the Alien Acts
The Alien Act’s (1905) overall aim was to stop certain people from immigration.
X – The act was somewhat vague as to who was being targeted or included in the
act.
Stated those arriving in Britain could be declined entry if undesirable:
o If he arrives with no money to provide and support for yourself and family.
o If he was a lunatic, idiot, or liable to disease that would affect the state and
society.
o If he has been sentenced in a foreign country for a crime.
o If he had already been expelled from the country previously.
Exceptions were made for asylum seekers.
Provided for the prosecution of the masters of the immigrant ships (people
carriers/traffickers).
Follow up acts in 1914 and 1919.
Immigration
‘Wandering Jew’ – a Jew condemned by Christ to walk the Earth until his second
coming, they were seen as responsible for Christ’s death.
Pre-1880: Jews were only allowed to be moneylenders, monarchs often acted
against them and manipulated things to make them look bad.
The 1800s see two Jewish communities establish, Sephardim and Ashkenazim.
o Ashkenazim Jews – speak Yiddish, women expected to walk behind the men,
women shave their heads, men have hair in ringlets with fuzzy hats. These
Jews were poorer and got involved in the rag trade.
Russian ‘Pale of Settlement’ - Jews were only allowed to live in certain parts of Russia
Orthodox Settlement
Pogroms
Religious Persecution
Conscription to the Russian army
Economic and physical threat
o This caused Jews to emigrate to the West. Thought that ¼ a million left
this area in the 1880s.
o 1901 census recorded a ¼ a million Jews.
o 1881-1914: approximately 150,000 Jews travelled to Great Britain.
In Whitechapel
Sense that foreigners would use knives rather than fists to fight. (Knives weren’t
really the British way to fight)
They travelled to London to escape the torments of Russia, and London was seen to
be a place of opportunity that already has an established Jewish community.
o London was considered a friendly and safe place.
Finding work would be hard due to the Jewish Sabbath (on Saturdays).
Prejudice
Sense that the indigenous population resented immigrants/migrants coming in and
taking their jobs etc.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller chloemuzza. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £6.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
