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This resolution passed unanimously and shortly after Jewish immigrants poured into America looking for a better life. Many felt that they would be protected from religious persecution in America. Although Jewish people in America were victims of some racial bias they did not face the riots or violence found in their homelands. .
Poverty in Russia was widespread and long work weeks were the norm. The hard life the Jewish had overseas and the oppression all played a major role in how they affected society here. They brought a good work ethic and worked long work weeks. They were willing to work 18 hours a day for very little pay. The fact that they would work for so little often was the cause for resentment from working class Americans. You can see this in some ways in modern time with the influx of Mexican workers. We often hear the debate about how they provide cheap labor with is good for our capitalistic economy, although it is not uncommon to hear complaints from others about the cheap labor and how it takes away jobs from U.S. citizens. Conditions during this time differed greatly from current times though. Shops often were over crowded and unsanitary. Bathroom breaks were limited and some shops did not allow you to talk to your co-workers. The idea was to be as productive as possible at all times. The Board of Health during this time had horribly vague definitions of what is required by companies and was also under-funded. The laws and regulations that were established had hardly ever been enforced. It would be some time before the government took a serious look into the work conditions of its citizens. Despite these harsh conditions more Jewish immigrants continued to come to America growing their numbers over the years. They would later use these large numbers to organize for shorter work days and more reasonable pay. Typical salary was five to six dollars a week with a typical work day being sixteen to eighteen hours a day1.