Leon Czolgosz, the assassin of President William McKinley, professed to being an anarchist. Inspired by Emma Goldman, he stated in his confession, "I killed President McKinley because I done my duty. I didn't believe one man should have so much service, and another man should have none." With the role of anarchists and the violence of the Haymarket Square Riot on the minds of many Americans, the death of McKinley at the hands of the anarchist son of immigrants was significant. While the idea that it enhanced the link between immigrant laborers and anarchists in the minds of civic leaders may be speculation, Czolgosz's deed and the attitude towards anarchism was most certainly an integral part of the passing of the Alien Immigration Act in 1903.
Read Full Article »