Immigration and Refugees, A Case Study on the Wagner-Rogers Bill

By examining the Wagner-Rogers Bill of 1939, students learn how Americans debated the country’s role as a haven for refugees, identifying economic, social, and geopolitical factors that influenced Americans’ attitudes about the United States’ role in the world during the critical years 1938–1941. Using primary-source documents, students identify and evaluate arguments that Americans made for and against the acceptance of child refugees in 1939. The lesson concludes with reflection on questions that this history raises about America’s role in the world today.

Lesson Plan and Teaching Materials

• Teacher Guide (PDF)

• Student Packet (PDF)

• Student Packet Answer Key (PDF)

• Teacher-Led Presentation (PDF) and Speaker Notes (PDF)

• Wagner-Rogers Timeline (PDF)