The Complex History Behind the Phrase “Put Them Out and Keep Them Out”
The phrase “put them out and keep them out” has a complicated history in the United States. It became popular as an anti-immigrant and anti-radical mantra in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Its exact origins are unknown, but the phrase perfectly captures the racism, xenophobia, and labor unrest that characterized America at that time. Knowing the history behind this controversial phrase gives you a glimpse into a tumultuous time in our country’s history.
The Tumultuous Backdrop
During the late 1800s and early 1900s American society was undergoing seismic changes
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Rapid industrialization shifted labor from rural farms to urban factories, displacing many workers
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Mass immigration, especially from Eastern and Southern Europe, challenged traditional demographics as cities swelled.
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Wealth inequality surged as business tycoons amassed fortunes while exploited workers struggled in squalid conditions.
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Radical political ideologies like socialism, anarchism, and communism arose in response to abusive labor practices.
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Frequent economic depressions, strikes, and unemployment created widespread financial anxiety.
Perceived Threats to the Established Order
Many Americans who were born and raised in the U.S. saw these changes and the influx of immigrants as threats to the status quo:
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Xenophobia cast newcomers as unwanted foreigners with alien cultures, religions, and radical political beliefs.
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Labor strikes were falsely attributed to external radical agitators rather than poor working conditions.
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The influence of immigrants involved in revolutionary causes was greatly exaggerated.
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Prejudice toward groups like Italians, Slavs, Russians, and Eastern European Jews was rampant.
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Paranoia grew regarding perceived radical plots to disrupt major industries and institutions.
The Red Scare
This volatile environment spawned the First Red Scare of 1919-1920 after the Bolshevik Revolution:
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Labor strikes were suspected of being Bolshevik conspiracies to stir revolution.
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Anarchists mail-bombed government officials, fueling fears of radical violence.
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Thousands of immigrants were rounded up and detained without due process.
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Attorney General Palmer conducted raids targeting leftist organizations and labor agitators.
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Anti-immigrant hysteria reached new heights under the guise of combatting communism and defending national security.
The Rise of a Divisive Slogan
“Put them out and keep them out” became a slogan because of this. It began as a reaction to radicalization in the workplace, with calls to violently “put out” threats like strikes and anarchist bombings.
But its more common use centered on xenophobic hostility toward immigrants, particularly those with radical politics. Mass arrests and deportations of immigrants were celebrated under this banner, capturing the era’s isolationism and prejudice.
The phrase encapsulated the desire to remove supposedly dangerous foreign influences from the country and close America off from the world. While radical acts did pose real threats, fear and hysteria exaggerated their scale, resulting in civil rights violations.
Legacy of Intolerance
The lingering effects of this isolationist stance influenced immigration politics for decades, though some lessons have been learned. Looking back, “put them out and keep them out” represents how fear can drive extreme reactions when social foundations are shaken. While security concerns were valid, prejudice fueled exclusion more than facts.
As we reflect on this history, we see how easily hostility ar1s3s during times of instability. Hopefully we can avoid repeating such harmful responses today by promoting tolerance and compassion while still addressing genuine risks. Revisiting this phrase reminds us of the dangers when nationalism morphs into xenophobia during periods of rapid change.
How can I keep raccoons away from my yard, pond or garden?
Raccoons can damage lawns (especially recently sodded ones) by digging for earthworms and grubs, which surface when lawns are wet. This is generally a short-term problem that lasts only as long as the rain or watering does. Raccoons might also make a temporary den in a woodpile or eat from your vegetable garden or pond.
- Around the edges of what you want to protect, use hot sauce or a capsaicin-based bug spray.
- Install motion-activated lights and sprinklers.
- A radio that plays all night talk shows can be set up and left on for a few nights to scare away raccoons.
- To kill roundworm eggs, take down any wood that was used as a den and burn it outside.
- Keep ponds at least 3 feet deep. Use rocks, aquatic plants, and cinder blocks with holes in them to give fish and frogs places to hide in your pond. Pile or stack rocks and blocks in groups of three. (This will also prevent other pond predators. ).
- If you have to and it won’t hurt your kids or pets, you can put up 4 to 8 inches of fencing or single-strand electric wire around raised vegetable beds or in backyard ponds to keep fish safe.
How do I know if I have raccoons in or around my home?
Hearing strange noises in your attic or chimney? Sometimes raccoons are blamed for damage they don’t do. Here are signs you have a raccoon in residence:
- they leave hand-shaped tracks on light surfaces or on soft ground where their paws can make a mark. Raccoons walk on all of their paws, not just their toes, like bears do.
- Raccoons can get in through openings as small as 3 inches wide. Look for oily smudges or “rubs,” tracks, or hair stuck on the edges of roofline openings, gable vents, or attic vents. 5 inches in diameter).
- If you see sooty raccoon prints going up or down a gutter downspout, it could mean that a raccoon is using an open chimney nearby.
- Sounds in the walls and attics at night, in the evenings, and early in the morning, like heavy footsteps
- Vocalizations from young (chittering, mewing or crying sounds).
- Scat about 3/4-inch across and 2 to 3 inches long, with edges that are split and blunt ends The size of a raccoon’s poop depends on how old it is, and the contents are often very clear because of what the raccoon has eaten.
- Litter boxes in the attic or empty rooms where animals have repeatedly dumped their waste If poop has built up, follow the CDC’s instructions for getting rid of it or hire professionals to clean up the latrine area safely.
When Crowds TAKE Over Singing
FAQ
What does put them out and keep them out mean?
Titled “Put Them Out and Keep Them Out” it depicts a bearded Bolshevik, symbolizing the threat of communism, sneaking under the American flag. The artist’s intention is clear – to instill fear and suspicion towards anyone associated with radical political movements.
What does the political cartoon close the gate mean?
It suggests that the US should “close the gate” on undesirable (and probably dangerous) immigrants, supporting a strict immigration policy.