page_title: History of antisemitism in the United States
section_title: Early 20th century
hierarchical_section_title: History of antisemitism in the United States / Early 20th century
caption_attribution_description: English: Little Giant. Jew Jokes. Cleveland: Arthur Westbrook Company, 1908. Dime Novel Collection
context_page_description: There have been different opinions among historians with regard to the extent of antisemitism in America's past and how American antisemitism contrasted with its European counterpart. Earlier students of American Jewish life minimized the presence of antisemitism in the United States, which they considered a late and alien phenomenon that arose on the American scene in the late 19th century. More recently however, scholars have asserted that no period in American Jewish history was free of antisemitism. The debate about the significance of antisemitism during different periods of American history has continued to the present day.
  The first governmental incident of anti-Jewish sentiment was recorded during the American Civil War, when General Ulysses S. Grant issued a General Order of expulsion against Jews from the portions of Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi that were under his control.
  During the first half of the 20th century, Jews were discriminated or limited in some employment, certain properties, social clubs, resort areas and quotas on enrollment at colleges.
context_section_description: In the first half of the 20th century, Jews were discriminated against in employment, access to residential and resort areas, membership in clubs and organizations, and in tightened quotas on Jewish enrollment and teaching positions in colleges and universities. Restaurants, hotels and other establishments that barred Jews from entry were called "restricted".
caption: Cover of Jew Jokes, (Cleveland: Arthur Westbrook Company) 1908
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