Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean History Practice Exam

The correct choice indicates a significant shift that occurred regarding immigration patterns to the United States during the 1930s due to changes in the Panama Canal Zone. The Panama Canal, completed in the early 20th century, was a crucial waterway for global maritime trade and had implications for the movement of people as well. In the 1930s, particularly during the Great Depression, there was a general decrease in immigration to the United States driven by economic uncertainty and restrictive policies that limited the entry of new immigrants. This had a direct impact on the labor force in the Panama Canal Zone, which had previously attracted many workers from various regions, including the Caribbean. The context surrounding this period also involved heightened nationalistic sentiments and a focus on protecting jobs for citizens, which contributed to the policy changes that restricted immigration. Thus, the consequence was a notable decline in the influx of immigrants into the U.S. and, by extension, into the Panama Canal Zone. Focusing on the other options, while the changes in the Canal Zone may have occasionally contributed to increased job opportunities or had effects on economic independence, the overarching trend of decreased immigration was more pronounced during this decade, largely owing to the global economic climate and policy shifts. The strengthening of labor unions was